Alternative Extraction Methods
Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 10.1.13
Alternative Methods of Extracting Copper
Phytomining is a technique that allows us to extract copper from contaminated land. A technique called bioleaching has improved our ability to extract copper from low-grade ores.
Phytomining
- Plants growing on contaminated land absorb copper ions as they grow.
- These plants are harvested and burned, producing ash that contains high concentrations of copper compounds.
- A disadvantage of phytomining is that the process takes a lot longer than the classic methods.
Bioleaching
- Bacteria are added in with low-grade ores.
- The bacteria break down the ores to create a solution rich in copper compounds known as a leachate solution. We can easily extract copper from leachate solution.
- Similarly to phytomining, bioleaching is a much slower process than traditional mining.
Test yourself on Alternative Extraction Methods
Why are the harvested plants burned during phytomining?
What disadvantage do phytomining and bioleaching share, compared with traditional extraction methods?
What happens after bacteria are added to low-grade copper ores in bioleaching?
A site has land contaminated with copper but no copper ore deposits to mine conventionally. Which method could be used to extract copper from this site?
What do the ash produced in phytomining and the leachate solution produced in bioleaching have in common?