In basic general chemistry and metallurgy, haematite is an important ore or mineral that is used as a major source of which metal for industrial extraction?

Introduction / Context:
This general chemistry question tests your knowledge of common metallic ores and the metals that are extracted from them. In competitive examinations, questions about matching minerals or ores with the corresponding metal are very frequent because they connect basic chemistry with practical metallurgy. Haematite is a very important iron bearing ore that has supported the iron and steel industry for decades, so recognizing it is essential for anyone studying basic science, engineering, or general knowledge. By identifying the metal associated with haematite, you also strengthen your understanding of how raw materials move from the earth into industrial production lines and ultimately into bridges, buildings, vehicles, and machinery.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The ore mentioned in the question is haematite.
- You are asked to identify which metal is primarily obtained from this ore.
- Options include zinc, iron, lead, and manganese, all of which are common industrial metals.
- Only one of these metals is correctly linked to haematite as its chief ore.

Concept / Approach:
To solve this question, you must recall the standard list of important ores and their corresponding metals. Haematite is a reddish brown iron oxide ore with the approximate formula Fe2O3. It is one of the most important ores of iron and is widely mined all over the world. Other metals listed in the options, such as zinc, lead, and manganese, also have characteristic ores, but those ores have different names like sphalerite, galena, and pyrolusite. Therefore, the approach here is to match haematite with iron based on commonly taught ore metal pairs in basic chemistry and metallurgy.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that ores are naturally occurring minerals from which metals can be extracted economically. Step 2: Remember that haematite is a well known iron ore with a high percentage of iron content. Step 3: Note that haematite has a typical formula close to Fe2O3 and occurs as a reddish brown mineral. Step 4: Compare each option and pair metals with their standard ores: zinc with sphalerite, lead with galena, manganese with pyrolusite, and iron with haematite. Step 5: Conclude that the metal obtained from haematite is iron, making Iron the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick way to verify your answer is to review a standard table of important ores and their metals from a school level chemistry book. Haematite is always listed under iron ores along with magnetite and siderite. You can also recall that iron and steel plants often mention haematite as their principal raw material. No standard reference ever lists haematite as an ore of zinc, lead, or manganese, confirming that the link with iron is correct. Therefore, cross checking with well known ore lists strongly supports the selection of iron as the correct metal for haematite.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Zinc is mainly obtained from ores such as sphalerite or zinc blende, not from haematite. Lead is primarily extracted from the ore galena, which is lead sulphide. Manganese is commonly obtained from ores such as pyrolusite and rhodochrosite rather than haematite. Hence, zinc, lead, and manganese do not match the ore haematite and are therefore incorrect choices in this question.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse haematite with other metal oxides simply because many ores are oxides or sulphides. Students may also mix up haematite with bauxite or magnetite due to similar sounding names. Another pitfall is guessing randomly among different metals without systematically recalling the correct ore metal pairs. To avoid such errors, it is helpful to memorize a short list of common ores for each major metal and revise it regularly before examinations.

Final Answer:
The metal that is obtained from the ore haematite is Iron.