Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
gangue
noun
/ɡæŋ/
Definition
Gangue refers to the non-valuable materials or minerals found in an ore, which are extracted alongside the valuable components during the mining process.
Examples
- In the mining operation, the gangue was separated from the ore to extract the valuable metals.
- Geologists analyzed the gangue to understand the mineral composition of the area better.
Meaning
Typically, gangue consists of quartz, talc, or other types of rock that do not contain significant amounts of the desired metal or mineral.
Synonyms
- Waste
- Refuse
- Tailings
