Polymetal

From Self-sufficiency
Jump to: navigation, search

Primarily used in chemistry or mining, polymetal or polymetallic refers to a substance composed of a combination of different metals. When the substance contains only two metals the term bimetal (bimetallic) is sometimes preferred (not to be confused with bimetallism, which refers to a type of monetary system).

  • A polymetallic ore (or polymetal ore) is an ore that is the source of more than one metal suitable for recovery.
  • A mine containing polymetallic ore is a polymetallic mine.
  • Polymetallic nodules are concretions of manganese and iron (and other metals) found on the ocean floor. They are sometimes called manganese nodules, after their principal component.

See also