"Metal ores" refers to rocks or minerals that contain valuable metals, such as gold, silver, iron, or copper, that can be extracted and used for various purposes. Full definition
In contrast, exports of metal ores & minerals and coal have risen modestly, and the volume of gold exports was almost 20 per cent higher. (rba.gov.au)
That includes not just coal but also oil and gas extraction, metal ore mining, stone quarrying and other jobs. (fortune.com)
Excluding oil, the domestic component increased by around 1 per cent in the June quarter, driven by rises in utilities and metal ore prices, while the non-oil-related prices of imported inputs rose by a similar amount. (rba.gov.au)