ORE SOURCES is a term used to describe the various sources of ore, which is a valuable mineral or metal that can be mined and used for a variety of purposes. LODES (5 letters) are veins of ore that are found in rock formations. MINES (5 letters) are large excavations where ore is extracted from the ground. MINERALDEPOSITS (15 letters) are concentrations of ore that are found in the Earth's crust.