Editing Base metal (section)

==Specific definitions==
In contrast to [[noble metal]]s, base metals may be distinguished by [[oxidation|oxidizing]] or [[corrosion|corroding]] relatively easily and reacting variably with diluted [[hydrochloric acid]] (HCl) to form [[hydrogen]]. Examples include  [[iron]], [[nickel]], [[lead]] and [[zinc]]. [[Copper]] is also considered a base metal because it oxidizes relatively easily, although it does not react with HCl.

In [[mining]] and [[economics]], the term base metals refers to industrial [[non-ferrous metals]] excluding [[precious metals]]. These include copper, lead, nickel and zinc.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://responsiblemining.net/pubs/WB_BaseMetalAndIronJul98.pdf |title=''Base Metal and Iron Ore Mining,'' Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook. WORLD BANK GROUP 1998 |access-date=2010-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909112854/http://www.responsiblemining.net/pubs/WB_BaseMetalAndIronJul98.pdf |archive-date=2016-09-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]] agency is more inclusive in its definition of commercial base metals. Its list includes—in addition to copper, lead, nickel, and zinc—the following metals: [[iron]] and [[steel]] (an alloy), [[aluminium]], [[tin]], [[tungsten]], [[molybdenum]], [[tantalum]], [[cobalt]], [[bismuth]], [[cadmium]], [[titanium]], [[zirconium]], [[antimony]], [[manganese]], [[beryllium]], [[chromium]], [[germanium]], [[vanadium]], [[gallium]], [[hafnium]], [[indium]], [[niobium]], [[rhenium]], and [[thallium]], and their alloys.<ref>[https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/icp079_3.pdf What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Household Articles of Base Metal, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.  Jan. 2010]</ref>