Polymetal

Primarily used in chemistry or mining, polymetal or polymetallic refers to a substance comprised 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

• Alloy