'ore-borne' originates from Modern English, composed of the element 'ore' (from Old English 'ōra' meaning 'unwrought metal, ore') and 'borne', the past participle of 'bear' (from Old English 'beran' meaning 'to carry').

'ore' passed from Old English 'ōra' into Middle and then Modern English as 'ore'; 'borne' derives from Old English 'beran' > Middle English 'beren' > past participle 'borne'; these elements combined in Modern English to form the compound adjective 'ore-borne'.

Initially the components meant 'unwrought metal' and 'carried'; together they have consistently conveyed the idea 'carried by or contained in ore', a meaning that has remained stable in technical usage.