Oxide and sulfide ores Aluminum occurs in the lithosphere as an oxide e Iron as oxides(mostly) Copper as both sulfides and oxides Nickel(ditto) Zinc as sulfides Silicon as oxides Lead as sulfides Gold and silver as metals Magnesium as chloride (in the hydrosphere)Oxide and sulfide ores. Aluminum occurs in the lithosphere as an oxide. Iron as oxides (mostly). Copper as both sulfides and oxides. Nickel (ditto). Zinc as sulfides. Silicon as oxides. Lead as sulfides. Gold and silver as metals. Magnesium as chloride (in the hydrosphere)