Metals are found in earth’s rocks. In order to use the metal, the kind of rock that contains the metal must be mined, or dug out of the ground. This rock that contains the metal is called ore.
Many ores are found beneath the ground in layers of rock called veins. Iron ore is mined. After it is mined, the ore is smelted. Smelting removes metal from the ore. The ore is put into a huge furnace and mixed with other rocks. Hot air is blasted into the furnace. When the furnace is hot enough, the liquid iron sinks to the bottom. It then is poured into a container that holds many tonnes of molten, or melted, iron.
Steel is made by heating iron and mixing it with a small amount of a chemical called carbon. Steel is used to make such things as car parts, buildings, screws, and paper clips.
Aluminium is light, strong, and doesn’t rust. It comes from an ore called bauxite. To make aluminium, the compound called alumina must be removed from the bauxite. Aluminium is used for many things, including pots and pans, aeroplane parts, and chewing gum wrappers.
Gold and silver ores are hard to find and sometimes are found as natural metals. Both are heavy, but very soft. Gold and silver are used in coins and jewellery.
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