The major component of which of the following ore is sulphide based mineral?

Options

A. Calamine
B. Malachite
C. Sphalerite
D. Siderite

Answer

To determine which ore has a major component that is a sulphide-based mineral, we can analyze the given ores one by one.

1. **Calamine**: The formula for Calamine is ZnCO3. This indicates that Calamine is a zinc carbonate ore, which does not contain sulphide.

2. **Malachite**: The formula for Malachite is CuCO3·Cu(OH)2. This is a copper carbonate ore, and like Calamine, it does not contain sulphide.

3. **Cephalerite**: The formula for Cephalerite is ZnS. This indicates that Cephalerite is a zinc sulphide ore, which means it is indeed a sulphide-based mineral.

4. **Siderite**: The formula for Siderite is FeCO3. This is an iron carbonate ore and does not contain sulphide.

From the analysis above, we can conclude that the ore with a major component that is a sulphide-based mineral is **Cephalerite (ZnS)**.

Thus, the answer to the question is **Cephalerite**.