Question

Calamine is an ore of :

• A. Aluminium
• B. Copper
• C. Iron
• D. Zinc

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Zinc

Answer 2

Calamine is $ZnCO _{3}$.

Ore is natural rock or sediment that contains one or more valuable minerals, typically containing metals, that can be mined, treated, and sold at a profit.

Types of Zinc Ore

Zinc ore occurs in two types of deposits:

1. Primary zinc ore: Primary zinc ore in thin veins is known as rakes.
2. Secondary zinc ore: Secondary deposit is formed by weathering of the primary mineral veins.

• Zinc ore is most commonly found as zinc carbonate (ZnCO3), known as calamine or smithsonite.
• It generally occurs as rounded, crystalline crusts or granular, honeycombed masses that have a vitreous or pearly luster and are brown or grey in color.
• It was known as ‘dry bone’ ore, having a cellular to spongy appearance reminiscent of dry bone.
• It is derived from the alteration of the primary zinc sulfide (ZnS) mineral sphalerite.
• This is generally a dark grey or black, highly lustrous mineral, but can vary in appearance. Both occur on Mendip.