Phyto mining and Bioleaching

Question 1

Name two ways of extracting metals from their ores

Answer 1

Reduction with carbon
Displacement reactions

Question 2

name 3 disadvantages of extracting metals from the ground

Answer 2

Destruction of habitat
Noise and dust pollution from machines
Large amounts of waste to landfill

Question 3

Oxidation

Answer 3

Gain of oxygen and loss of electrons e.g., carbon to carbon dioxide

Question 4

Reduction

Answer 4

Loss of oxygen and gain of electrons e.g. carbon dioxide to carbon

Question 5

Why is copper so useful to us

Answer 5

Copper is used in many everyday products such as electrical wiring, water piping and pots and pans

Question 6

Why is copper extraction difficult?

Answer 6

There are very few sites that give a good yield of copper. Many sites are known as low grade ore sites-They have too little copper in the ore for the ore to be worth extracting using traditional mining.

Question 7

What is Phyto mining

Answer 7

This involves using plants to extract metals. The plants are deliberately planted on low grade ore sites, and they take up metal compounds in the roots. The plants are then burned, and the ash is rich in metals which can then be extracted. It is a slow process, but it reduces the need to obtain new ore by mining and conserves limited supply of high-grade ore

Question 8

What is bioleaching

Answer 8

This involves flooding ore sites with bacteria that leach copper from the ground to produce a leachate solution (A liquid that extracts soluble or suspended solids). It is very slow and can take years, but it reduces the need to obtain new ore by mining. However some toxic chemicals may be produced which can harm wildlife