From ancient shafts to modern exploration, the materials pulled from the ground shape industries, technologies and trade routes worldwide. Understanding the different ores helps you track where resources come from and what they contain.
There are 45 Ores, ranging from Acanthite to Wolframite. For each entry the table shows Commodity (dominant mineral/formula),Ore class,Major producers (countries) — you’ll find below.
How do I interpret the “Ore class” versus the “Commodity (dominant mineral/formula)” column?
“Commodity (dominant mineral/formula)” names the primary economic mineral and its chemical formula, while “Ore class” groups ores by geological or processing type (e.g., sulfide, oxide). Use the commodity to know what metal or compound is present and the ore class to understand extraction and processing implications.
Can I use this list to identify which countries to contact for sourcing a specific ore?
Yes — the “Major producers (countries)” column highlights principal producing nations, which helps narrow sourcing options, compare regional supply risk, and prioritize where to look for trade partners or further geological data.
Ores
| Ore | Commodity (dominant mineral/formula) | Ore class | Major producers (countries) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hematite | Iron — Hematite Fe2O3 | Oxide | Australia, Brazil, China, India |
| Magnetite | Iron — Magnetite Fe3O4 | Oxide | China, Australia, Brazil, Russia |
| Bauxite | Aluminum — Gibbsite Al(OH)3 / Böhmite γ-AlO(OH) | Oxide/Hydroxide (rock) | Australia, Guinea, China, Brazil |
| Chalcopyrite | Copper — Chalcopyrite CuFeS2 | Sulfide | Chile, Peru, China, USA |
| Galena | Lead — Galena PbS | Sulfide | China, Australia, USA, Peru |
| Sphalerite | Zinc — Sphalerite (Zn,Fe)S | Sulfide | China, Australia, Peru, USA |
| Cinnabar | Mercury — Cinnabar HgS | Sulfide | China, Mexico, Kyrgyzstan |
| Cassiterite | Tin — Cassiterite SnO2 | Oxide | China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Peru |
| Pentlandite | Nickel — Pentlandite (Fe,Ni)9S8 | Sulfide | Russia, Canada, Australia, Indonesia |
| Chromite | Chromium — Chromite FeCr2O4 | Oxide | South Africa, Kazakhstan, Turkey, India |
| Pyrolusite | Manganese — Pyrolusite MnO2 | Oxide | South Africa, Australia, China, Gabon |
| Uraninite | Uranium — Uraninite (Pitchblende) UO2 | Oxide | Kazakhstan, Canada, Australia, Namibia |
| Wolframite | Tungsten — Wolframite (Fe,Mn)WO4 | Tungstate | China, Vietnam, Russia, Bolivia |
| Scheelite | Tungsten — Scheelite CaWO4 | Tungstate | China, Russia, Canada, Vietnam |
| Ilmenite | Titanium — Ilmenite FeTiO3 | Oxide | China, Canada, Australia, South Africa |
| Rutile | Titanium — Rutile TiO2 | Oxide | Australia, South Africa, Sierra Leone |
| Stibnite | Antimony — Stibnite Sb2S3 | Sulfide | China, Russia, Tajikistan |
| Molybdenite | Molybdenum — Molybdenite MoS2 | Sulfide | China, USA, Chile, Peru |
| Cobaltite | Cobalt — Cobaltite CoAsS | Sulfide | DR Congo, China, Canada, Russia |
| Spodumene | Lithium — Spodumene LiAlSi2O6 | Silicate | Australia, Chile, China, Argentina |
| Acanthite | Silver — Acanthite Ag2S | Sulfide | Mexico, China, Peru, Poland |
| Native Gold | Gold — Gold Au | Native | China, Australia, Russia, USA |
| Bastnäsite | Rare Earths — Bastnäsite (Ce,La,Y)CO3F | Carbonate | China, USA, Russia, Australia |
| Monazite | Rare Earths/Thorium — Monazite (Ce,La,Nd,Th)PO4 | Phosphate | Australia, India, Brazil, China |
| Beryl | Beryllium — Beryl Be3Al2Si6O18 | Silicate | USA, China, Mozambique, Brazil |
| Sylvite | Potassium — Sylvite KCl | Evaporite | Canada, Russia, Belarus, Germany |
| Halite | Sodium/Chlorine — Halite NaCl | Evaporite | China, USA, India, Germany |
| Barite | Barium — Barite BaSO4 | Sulfate | China, India, Morocco, USA |
| Fluorite | Fluorine — Fluorite CaF2 | Halide | China, Mexico, South Africa, Mongolia |
| Smithsonite | Zinc — Smithsonite ZnCO3 | Carbonate | USA, Greece, Australia, Namibia |
| Rhodochrosite | Manganese — Rhodochrosite MnCO3 | Carbonate | South Africa, China, Argentina, Peru |
| Apatite | Phosphorus — Apatite Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH) | Phosphate | China, Morocco, USA, Russia |
| Celestite | Strontium — Celestite SrSO4 | Sulfate | China, Spain, Mexico, Argentina |
| Borax | Boron — Borax Na2[B4O5(OH)4]·8H2O | Evaporite | USA, Turkey, Chile, China |
| Chalcocite | Copper — Chalcocite Cu2S | Sulfide | Peru, USA, Poland, Zambia |
| Bornite | Copper — Bornite Cu5FeS4 | Sulfide | Chile, Peru, USA, Mexico |
| Lepidolite | Lithium/Rubidium — Lepidolite K(Li,Al)3(Al,Si,Rb)4O10(F,OH)2 | Silicate | Brazil, Canada, Zimbabwe, USA |
| Goethite | Iron — Goethite FeO(OH) | Oxide/Hydroxide | Australia, Brazil, China, India |
| Skutterudite | Cobalt/Nickel — Skutterudite (Co,Ni)As3 | Arsenide | Morocco, Canada, Germany, China |
| Carnallite | Potassium/Magnesium — Carnallite KMgCl3·6H2O | Evaporite | Germany, Russia, USA, Canada |
| Sperrylite | Platinum — Sperrylite PtAs2 | Arsenide | South Africa, Russia, Canada |
| Colemanite | Boron — Colemanite CaB3O4(OH)3·H2O | Borate | USA, Turkey, Argentina |
| Native Silver | Silver — Silver Ag | Native | Mexico, Canada, USA, Norway |
| Calaverite | Gold — Calaverite AuTe2 | Telluride | Australia, USA (Colorado) |
| Siderite | Iron — Siderite FeCO3 | Carbonate | Austria, China, Brazil |
Images and Descriptions
Hematite
The most important iron ore, named from the Greek for “blood-like” due to its reddish streak. It’s the primary source of iron for steel production, forming in sedimentary deposits. It can be metallic gray to earthy red.
Magnetite
A black, strongly magnetic iron ore. It often contains higher iron content than hematite and is valuable for its magnetic properties, sometimes forming massive deposits called lodestones. It is a key source of iron for steel.
Bauxite
Not a mineral but a rock, bauxite is the world’s primary source of aluminum. It forms from the intense weathering of aluminum-rich rocks in tropical climates, appearing as a reddish-brown, clay-like material.
Chalcopyrite
The most important copper ore, accounting for over 50% of the world’s supply. It has a brassy yellow color and metallic luster, often tarnishing to an iridescent purple-blue, leading to its nickname “peacock ore.”
Galena
The primary ore of lead, easily identified by its perfect cubic cleavage, silver color, and high density. Historically important, it was used by ancient Egyptians for cosmetics and is now essential for batteries and radiation shielding.
Sphalerite
The most common and important ore of zinc. Its name means “treacherous” because it can be difficult to identify, varying in color from yellow to black. It is often found alongside galena in lead-zinc deposits.
Cinnabar
The only significant ore of mercury, known for its bright scarlet to brick-red color. It was historically used as a pigment (vermilion). Due to mercury’s toxicity, its mining and use are now heavily restricted.
Cassiterite
The primary source of tin, this hard and heavy mineral is often found in alluvial deposits (placer deposits) due to its resistance to weathering. It has been mined since the Bronze Age to make bronze alloy.
Pentlandite
The world’s most important nickel ore. It is typically found with other sulfide minerals like chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite in large mafic intrusions. Nickel is critical for producing stainless steel and high-performance alloys.
Chromite
The only ore of chromium, a metal essential for making stainless steel and other alloys. It occurs as a black to brownish-black mineral in layered mafic intrusions and is highly resistant to heat and corrosion.
Pyrolusite
The most common manganese ore, essential for steel and aluminum alloys. It’s a soft, black, sooty mineral that will easily soil your fingers. Manganese is a critical component for strengthening and deoxidizing steel.
Uraninite
The primary ore of uranium, famous for its radioactivity. The variety pitchblende is massive and lacks crystals. It is the main fuel for nuclear power plants and was used by Marie Curie in her radiation studies.
Wolframite
A key source of tungsten, a metal with one of the highest melting points. Wolframite is a dark, heavy mineral. Tungsten is vital for hardened steel tools, cutting equipment, and light bulb filaments.
Scheelite
Another important tungsten ore, known for its bright blue-white fluorescence under ultraviolet light, making it easy to spot for prospectors. It is used in similar applications as wolframite for its high density and heat resistance.
Ilmenite
A primary ore of titanium, a strong, lightweight metal used in aerospace, medical implants, and pigments. Ilmenite is a heavy, black mineral found in igneous rocks and concentrated in heavy mineral sands.
Rutile
A major ore of titanium, prized for producing white titanium dioxide pigment used in paints, plastics, and sunscreen. It forms as reddish-brown to black needle-like crystals in various rock types.
Stibnite
The main ore of antimony, a metalloid used as a flame retardant and for hardening lead alloys in batteries. It forms striking metallic gray crystals that can be long and needle-like, but are very soft and brittle.
Molybdenite
The primary ore of molybdenum, a metal used to create high-strength steel alloys. It is a very soft, lead-gray mineral with a greasy feel, similar to graphite, and is also used as a solid lubricant.
Cobaltite
A significant ore of cobalt, a metal critical for rechargeable batteries (e.g., in phones and EVs) and high-strength alloys. The mineral is silvery-white and often occurs with nickel and copper ores.
Spodumene
A primary ore of lithium, essential for modern rechargeable batteries. Found in lithium-rich pegmatites, it can form enormous crystals, sometimes over 10 meters long. Its color can vary from white to pink (kunzite) or green (hiddenite).
Acanthite
A primary ore of silver, often forming at temperatures below 173°C from the mineral argentite. It is a dark gray to black mineral and an important source of silver worldwide, frequently found in hydrothermal veins.
Native Gold
Gold often occurs in its native, elemental form, making it a mineral and an ore. It is mined from lode deposits (veins) or placer deposits (riverbeds). Its rarity, inertness, and distinctive color have made it a prized commodity for millennia.
Bastnäsite
A primary ore of rare earth elements (REEs) like cerium and lanthanum. REEs are vital for magnets, electronics, and green technologies. Bastnäsite is a yellowish to reddish-brown mineral found in carbonatite deposits.
Monazite
A key source of rare earth elements and thorium. It is a reddish-brown phosphate mineral often found as a heavy mineral sand. Monazite is crucial for magnets in wind turbines and electric vehicles, and for specialized optics.
Beryl
The most important ore of beryllium, a lightweight and strong metal used in aerospace alloys and electronics. While gem varieties like emerald and aquamarine are famous, most beryl is opaque and mined for its metal content.
Sylvite
A major source of potassium, a critical component of agricultural fertilizers (potash). It forms in evaporite deposits alongside halite (rock salt) and is identified by its salty, bitter taste and cubic crystals.
Halite
Commonly known as rock salt, halite is the mineral form of sodium chloride. Mined from massive underground beds, it is a primary source of sodium and chlorine for the chemical industry and is also used for de-icing roads.
Barite
The principal ore of barium, valued for its high density and chemical inertness. Its main use is as a weighting agent in drilling muds for oil and gas exploration to prevent blowouts. It often forms well-shaped, clear to white crystals.
Fluorite
The primary source of fluorine, used to produce hydrofluoric acid for refrigerants and aluminum processing. It is valued by collectors for its vibrant colors (purple, green, blue) and perfect octahedral cleavage.
Smithsonite
A secondary ore of zinc, formed by the weathering of primary zinc sulfide ores like sphalerite. It was named after James Smithson, the benefactor of the Smithsonian Institution. It can have a distinctive bubbly, botryoidal texture.
Rhodochrosite
A minor ore of manganese, but highly prized as a gemstone for its beautiful banded pink and red colors. It is found in hydrothermal veins, often associated with silver and lead ores. Its primary use is metallurgical when found in quantity.
Apatite
The primary source of phosphorus, a vital and irreplaceable element for agricultural fertilizers. Phosphate rock is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of apatite-group minerals. It is essential for global food production.
Celestite
The main ore of strontium, a metal known for the brilliant red color it produces in fireworks and flares. Celestite is named for its occasional delicate blue color and forms in sedimentary rocks, often with gypsum and halite.
Borax
A major ore of boron, essential for manufacturing fiberglass, heat-resistant glass (Pyrex), and detergents. It forms in evaporite deposits in arid regions, precipitating from the evaporation of seasonal lakes (playas).
Chalcocite
A rich, high-grade secondary ore of copper, containing nearly 80% copper by weight. It is typically dark grey to black and has a metallic luster. It forms in zones of secondary enrichment in copper deposits.
Bornite
A common copper ore nicknamed “peacock ore” because its fresh bronze surface quickly tarnishes to a vibrant, iridescent purple, blue, and red. It is an important source of copper often found alongside chalcopyrite.
Lepidolite
A lilac-gray or rose-colored mica mineral that is a secondary source of lithium. It is also one of the major sources of the rare alkali metals rubidium and caesium. It is found in granite pegmatites.
Goethite
A common secondary iron ore, formed from the weathering of other iron minerals. Limonite is not a true mineral but a mixture of hydrated iron oxides, mainly goethite. It is used as a pigment (ochre) and a minor iron ore.
Skutterudite
An important ore of cobalt and nickel. It is a shiny, tin-white to silver-gray mineral. Cobalt sourced from these ores is crucial for high-strength superalloys used in jet engines and gas turbines.
Carnallite
A significant ore of potash (potassium) and magnesium. This evaporite mineral is deliquescent, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air. It is mined from vast marine evaporite deposits for fertilizer and metal production.
Sperrylite
The most common platinum mineral and a major ore of the metal. It occurs as tiny, brilliant tin-white to steel-gray cubic crystals. It is typically found in nickel-copper sulfide deposits, like those in Sudbury, Canada.
Colemanite
An important boron ore, secondary to borax. It forms in arid environments from the alteration of other borate minerals. Boron is used in glass, ceramics, and agriculture, making colemanite an economically significant mineral.
Native Silver
Silver, like gold, can be found in its pure, native elemental form. It often occurs as wire-like (dendritic) masses or flakes within hydrothermal veins. The Kongsberg silver mines in Norway were famous for large native silver specimens.
Calaverite
A metallic, brassy-yellow gold telluride mineral that is a significant, though uncommon, ore of gold. It was a key mineral in the historic gold rush at Cripple Creek, Colorado, and is also found in Kalgoorlie, Australia.
Siderite
A minor ore of iron, but historically significant, especially in Europe. It forms in sedimentary or hydrothermal deposits. While less rich in iron than hematite, it can be valuable when found in large, easily processed deposits.
