Overexploitation of Extraction Methods
Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 10.1.12
Copper Extraction - New Sources
Historically, copper has been overexploited. Most of the copper-rich ores have been used up. For this reason, we have had to find new sources to extract copper from.
Low-grade ores
Contaminated land
Test yourself on Overexploitation of Extraction Methods
How does a low-grade ore differ from a copper-rich ore?
Why did new ways to extract copper need to be found?
What sources can copper be extracted from?
What does it mean for an ore to be described as copper-rich?
Why do scientists now extract copper from low-grade ores, even though these ores contain very little of the desired metal?