The Main Groups of Metals Explored in Mining
The world of exploration and mining is characterized by a rich tapestry of sought-after commodities, whose diversity and availability evolve over time. This evolution is driven by the ever-fluctuating market prices and the demand for these commodities in industrial sectors.
The main group of metals explored for are:
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Precious metals
Precious metals are rare and valuable metallic elements that have been highly sought after throughout history for their beauty, durability, and use in various industries. The most commonly recognized precious metals include: gold, silver, platinum group elements (which include platinum, palladium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium and rhenium).
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Battery metals
Battery metals refer to metals that are used in the production of batteries, particularly rechargeable batteries. These metals play a crucial role in energy storage technology and the advancement of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy systems. Some of the key battery metals include: lithium, cobalt, copper, nickel, vanadium, manganese and aluminum.
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Base metals
Base metals are a group of widely used metallic elements that are typically abundant in the Earth's crust and have various industrial applications. The most commonly recognized base metals include: copper, zinc, lead, nickel, tin, and aluminum.
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Ferrous metals
Ferrous metals are a category of metals that exhibit magnetic properties and are known for their strength and durability. The most common types of ferrous metals include: iron, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, cobalt, and manganese.
