metalliferous Hear it!

metalliferous Definition

met·al·lif·er·ous (met′ə lif′ər əs)

adjective

containing, yielding, or producing metal or ore

Etymology: L metallifer < metallum, metal + fere, to bear + -ous

metalliferous Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • ore: The mountain is rich in metalliferous ore, there being several veins of copper intersecting its eastern side.
  • mining: The Cornish who migrated to Latin America were mainly engaged in metalliferous mining.
  • mineral: There was considerable exploration for metalliferous minerals in Britain from the 1950s to the late 1990s.
  • mine: Machines were made of iron, coal and metalliferous mines used cast iron pipes and pumps fro drainage and engines.
  • site: Little is known about the invertebrate interest of metalliferous mine sites.
  • area: Cornwall is the leading metalliferous mining area in the world.