Answer: ORES

Ores are naturally occurring rocks or minerals that contain valuable minerals, metals, or elements. They are typically extracted from the ground and processed to obtain the desired materials. The clue "vein contents" refers to the fact that ores are often found within veins or deposits in the Earth's crust.

Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: Rocks that may contain precious metals. Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.