What is the difference between rock, mineral, ore and metal?

Rock, mineral, ore, and metal are related terms but refer to different concepts in geology and mining:

Rock: A rock is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals. Rocks can be made up of one type of mineral or a combination of several different minerals. They are classified based on their mineral composition, texture, and origin. Rocks can be igneous (formed from cooling magma or lava), sedimentary (formed from the accumulation and compression of sediment), or metamorphic (formed from the alteration of existing rocks due to heat, pressure, or chemical processes).

Mineral: A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and a crystalline structure. Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. They have a characteristic chemical composition and physical properties such as hardness, cleavage, and color. Examples of minerals include quartz, feldspar, calcite, and hematite.

Ore: An ore is a naturally occurring rock or mineral deposit that contains a valuable or useful substance that can be mined and extracted economically. Ores typically contain one or more valuable minerals or metals that can be extracted through mining and processing. Ores are economically viable sources of metals or minerals and are usually concentrated enough to be mined profitably.

Metal: A metal is a solid material that is typically hard, shiny, malleable, ductile, and has good electrical and thermal conductivity. Metals are extracted from ores through various mining and refining processes. Examples of metals include iron, copper, gold, silver, aluminum, and lead.

In summary, rocks are aggregates of minerals, minerals are naturally occurring inorganic solids with specific compositions and structures, ores are mineral deposits containing economically valuable substances, and metals are elements that are extracted from ores and possess certain physical and chemical properties.