Question

Which of the following is an ore of Iron?
1. Siderite
2. Malachite
3. Bauxite
4. Anglesite

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Siderite

The correct answer is Siderite.

• Siderite is a mineral composed of iron(II) carbonate (FeCO₃).
  • Siderite is also called chalybite.
• Siderite has been used as iron ore and for steel production.
• Siderite forms as a sedimentary precipitate, in hydrothermal veins, in metamorphic rocks formed from such protoliths, and, rarely, in pegmatites.
• Other major iron ores are hematite (Fe₂O₃), Magnetite (Fe₃O₄), Goethite / Limonite (HFeO₂), Chamosite [(Mg, Fe, Al)6(Si, Al)414(OH)8], Pyrite (FeS2), Ilmenite (FeTiO₃).

• Malachite is a green copper carbonate hydroxide mineral with a chemical composition of Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂.
  • It was one of the first ores used to produce copper metal.
  • Other copper ores are Chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂), Chalcocite (Cu₂S), Covellite (CuS), Bornite (2Cu₂S·CuS·FeS), Cuprite (Cu₂O), Azurite (2CuCO₃·Cu(OH)₂), etc.
• Bauxite is a sedimentary rock ore of Aluminium.
• Anglesite (PbSO4) a common secondary mineral that is a minor ore of lead (Pb).