What process involves melting ore in a furnace to release metal?

The correct answer is the process of pyrometallurgy, which involves using high temperatures to extract metals from their ores. In this method, the ore is subjected to intense heat within a furnace, which causes the ore to melt. This melting process allows the metal to separate from impurities or other unwanted materials present in the ore. Pyrometallurgy is commonly used for metals like copper, lead, and zinc, where the high heat effectively reduces the ore and enables the recovery of pure metal.

In contrast, hydrometallurgy involves using aqueous solutions to extract metals from ores and concentrates, making it applicable for metals that may not be readily obtainable through high-temperature processes. Electrometallurgy utilizes electrical energy to facilitate metal extraction, often found in processes like electrolysis. Mechanical metallurgy, on the other hand, generally focuses on the physical manipulation of metals, such as in shaping and forming, rather than the extraction process itself. Understanding these distinctions highlights why pyrometallurgy is the correct choice for the question regarding melting ore to release metal.