Ore deposits

Ore deposits are naturally occurring concentrations of minerals containing valuable elements, such as metals like gold, copper, or iron, that can be economically extracted. These deposits form through geological processes like cooling magma, weathering, or movement of fluids underground, which concentrate specific minerals in certain areas. Mining companies locate and evaluate these deposits to extract the valuable materials efficiently. Think of ore deposits as "buried treasure" within the earth, where the minerals are concentrated enough to justify the effort and cost of extraction. Their formation and location depend on complex geological conditions, making their discovery and development a specialized science.