Copper ore refers to natural rock formations that contain copper minerals in concentrations high enough to make extraction economically viable. Copper ore typically occurs in two main types: sulfide ores and oxide ores.
Oxide Ores: Oxide ores contain copper oxide minerals such as cuprite (Cu2O) and malachite (Cu2CO3(OH)2).
Sulfide Ores: These ores contain copper sulfide minerals such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), bornite (Cu5FeS4), chalcocite (Cu2S), and covellite (CuS).