General Principles of Extraction of Metals

The process of extracting the metals from their ores and refining them is called metallurgy.

The choice of the process depends upon the nature of the ore and the type of the metal. The metal content in the ore can vary depending upon the impurities present and chemical composition of the ore. Some common steps involved in the extraction of metals from their ores are:

1. Crushing and pulverization
2. Concentration or dressing of the ore
3. Calcination or roasting of the ore
4. Reduction of metal oxides to free metal
5. Purification and refining of metal