metalliferous

adjective

met·​al·​lif·​er·​ous ˌme-tə-ˈli-f(ə-)rəs 

: yielding or containing metal

Examples of metalliferous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

A missing piece of the puzzle is why small and large gas giants do not co-exist around metalliferous stars, for core formation does not obviously preclude a nebula breaking up into gas clumps as well. —The Economist, 13 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

Latin metallifer "rich in minerals" (Late Latin, "rich in metals") (from metallum "mine, metal entry 1" + -i- -i- + -fer -fer) + -ous

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above