What minerals or ores is associated with potassium and explain the method by which the element is removed from the host ore or mineral.

Potassium is never found free in nature but is found in the form of its ore called potash.

Potash is mined from naturally occurring ore bodies that were formed as sea water evaporated. Potash ores are found as salts of chlorine (potassium chloride) or sulphate (potassium sulphate) in salt deposits in some sedimentary basins. Potash can be mined using several techniques.

The ore is crushed, cleaned and further processed to separate the potash from impurities such as clay.

Potassium metal is then obtained by separating it from its salts (potassium chloride or potassium sulphate) through the process of electrolysis.