Non-ferrous metals

Aluminium production is divided into three main stages: the extraction of bauxite – aluminum–
containing ore, their processing into alumina - aluminum oxide, and, finally, the production of pure
metal using the process of electrolysis – the decomposition of aluminum oxide into its component parts
under the influence of electric current. From 4-5 tons of bauxite, 2 tons of alumina are obtained, from
which 1 ton of aluminum is produced.

Aluminum ores are rocks, raw materials for producing aluminum.

Aluminium:

 Bauxite
 Minerals (for ex. alunite rocks)

Copper ores are used to produce copper. Copper is obtained from copper ores and minerals.The main
methods of copper production are pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy and electrolysis.The ores contain 1-
6% copper. In ores, copper is usually found in the form of sulfur compounds (copper pyrite) or oxides.

Copper:

 copper ores
 Minerals (for ex. malachite)

Zinc is extracted from concentrates in two ways: pyrometallurgical (distillation) and hydrometallurgical
(electrolytic). In polymetallic ores, the described chemical element is contained in the form of sulfide. In
addition, natural zinc has the following impurities: Pb, Cd, Fe, Cu, Ag, Ai, Bi.

There is no zinc in its pure form. It is extracted from other natural rocks.

Zink:

 polymetallic ores
 impurities (for ex. Cu)

Ferrous metals

Steel. The raw materials for steel production are cast iron, scrap of the steel itself or cast iron, fluxes
and ferroalloys. Cast iron itself is by nature an insufficiently hard and brittle material, therefore it has
limited use. However, it is indispensable as a raw material for steel production. Steel is an alloy of iron
with carbon

Steel:

 Iron
 Carbon