Cinnabar is an ore of

Cinnabar is an ore of

mercury
zinc
copper
lead
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
Cinnabar is a mineral with the chemical formula $\text{HgS}$ (mercury(II) sulfide). It is the most common ore from which the element mercury ($\text{Hg}$) is extracted. Historically, it was mined extensively, and its red color made it a valuable pigment (vermilion). Roasting cinnabar in air converts the mercury(II) sulfide to elemental mercury and sulfur dioxide:
$\text{HgS(s)} + \text{O}_2\text{(g)} \rightarrow \text{Hg(g)} + \text{SO}_2\text{(g)}$
– Cinnabar is a mineral composed of mercury sulfide ($\text{HgS}$).
– An ore is a natural occurrence of a rock or sediment which contains sufficient minerals with economically important elements, metals or gems.
– Cinnabar is the primary ore for the extraction of mercury.
Other common ores of the metals listed are:
– Zinc: Sphalerite ($\text{ZnS}$), Calamine ($\text{ZnCO}_3$).
– Copper: Chalcopyrite ($\text{CuFeS}_2$), Malachite ($\text{Cu}_2(\text{CO}_3)(\text{OH})_2$), Azurite ($\text{Cu}_3(\text{CO}_3)_2(\text{OH})_2$).
– Lead: Galena ($\text{PbS}$).