A naturally occurring substance from which a metal can be extracted profitably and economically is called

1. A **mineral** is any naturally occurring substance containing a metal (free or combined). 2. Only those minerals from which the metal can be extracted **conveniently and economically** are called **ores**. 3. Hence every ore is a mineral, but every mineral is not an ore (e.g. bauxite is an ore of Al, china clay is not). _Source: Samacheer Kalvi Class 12 Chemistry Vol.1, Unit 1 'Metallurgy', §1.1.1_