overexploitation and alternative extraction methods

Question 1

why are copper- rich ores short in supply?

Answer 1

historical overexploitation

Question 2

what does copper- rich ores mean?

Answer 2

materials containing lots of copper

Question 3

So what kind of ores do we extract now?

Answer 3

low grade copper ores

Question 4

what sources can copper be extracted from? (3 marks)

Answer 4

copper rich-ores (1)
low grade copper ores (1)
contaminated land (1)

Question 5

name 2 alternative methods for extracting copper

Answer 5

• Phyto mining

- bioleaching

Question 6

explain how phytomining works

Answer 6

plants growing on contaminated land absorb copper ions as they grow
these are harvested and burnt producing a ash that contain high concentrations of copper compounds

Question 7

name a disadvantage of phytomining and bioleaching

Answer 7

the processes takes a lot longer than the traditional method

Question 8

explain how bioleaching works

Answer 8

bacteria are added in with the low grade ores

the bacteria break down the ores to create a solution rich in copper compounds known as leachate solution