Cinnabar is an ore of

Cinnabar, chemically known as mercury(II) sulfide (HgS), is the primary and most significant ore of mercury [3]. It is a bright red mineral that typically occurs in veins near volcanic activity or alkaline hot springs [3]. To extract the metal, the ore is heated in air (roasting), which first converts the mercury sulfide into mercuric oxide (HgO) [1]. Upon further heating, the oxide is reduced to elemental mercury [1]. Historically, cinnabar has been used as a vibrant red pigment called vermilion in various cultures, from ancient Rome to China [2]. While it is the main source of the world's mercury supply, it is also toxic when heated as it releases mercury vapor. Major deposits of this ore are found in regions like Almadén, Spain, which has historically been one of the largest mercury mines in the world.

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Metals and Non-metals > 3.4.3 Extracting Metals Low in the Activity Series > p. 51
2. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 13: Types of Rocks & Rock Cycle > 13.5. Some Rock-Forming Minerals > p. 175
3. [3] https://ndep.nv.gov/uploads/documents/wiki.pdf