1. How metals are recovered from rock
Image: G. Plumlee, USGS
Metals-3-1

2. Mining removes metal-bearing rock from the Earth’s crust.
Image: ASARCO, Inc.
Metals-3-2

3. Crushed metal-bearing rock is ready to be processed to remove the contained metals.
Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co.
Metals-3-3

4. Facilities called mills grind crushed metal-bearing rock to small particles composed of individual mineral grains.
Image: ASARCO, Inc.
Metals-3-4

5. After grinding, metal-bearing minerals are separated from other mineral particles by attaching them to soapy bubbles that float to the surface of agitated vats.
Images: ASARCO, Inc.
Metals-3-5

6. In some rocks, metals can be separated by percolating solutions through them that dissolve the contained metals (leaching). Gold is commonly recovered this way.
Metals-3-6

7. Facilities called smelters melt metal-bearing minerals in ways that separate the metals from impurities.
Image: Martin Miller
Metals-3-7

8. The molten metal recovered at smelters is poured into molds and allowed to solidify. This metal is then ready for refining and fabrication into things we need.
Image: Martin Miller
Metals-3-8