Would you consider adding either some iterative process to detect and alter ores, or implement some of the more popular options, eg, PyOres or Angels?

Could you explain it in other words? Did got the point.

I mean if you loop through the ores list, you might be able to add the hard crafting recipes to optional ores, rather than coding for them 1 by 1.
I love what you did for copper and iron.

I love it too. But it is not my merit. I am only an heir.
It sounds very interesting what you say. However, I still don't understand it. Maybe you can tell me a code place in PyOres or Angels. where I can look at it?

you can see how Reika does something similar in dirty mining

https://github.com/ReikaKalseki/DirtyMining/blob/master/prototypes/ores.lua