Phytomining and bioleaching

What is the main reason copper is in high demand?

• It is used in electronic equipment such as phones

• It is used in the construction of buildings

• It is the most abundant metal on Earth

• It is the cheapest metal

What does the term 'economical' mean in the context of extracting metal?

• Labor-intensive

• Environmentally friendly

• Cost-effective

• Quick process

Why are copper ores becoming scarce?

• Increased recycling of copper

• Reduction in mining activities

• They are being depleted

• Increased use in electronic devices

What is phyto-mining?

• Extracting metals using large machinery

• Using plants to absorb metal compounds from the soil

• A process where bacteria are used to extract metals

• Mining using physical labor

How does bio-leaching work?

• By heating the ore to a very high temperature

• Using bacteria to carry out chemical reactions to produce a solution containing the metal compound

• Using strong acids to dissolve metal from the ore

• By displacing copper using iron

Why is scrap iron used to displace copper from its compounds?

• It is more reactive than copper

• It is less reactive than copper

• It is the most expensive method

• It does not work for copper

What are the key benefits of phyto-mining and bio-leaching?

• They are faster than traditional mining methods

• They require large amounts of rock to be moved

• They are cost-effective methods for extracting metals from low-grade ores

• They allow for the extraction of metals from high-grade ores

Which method is considered more environmentally friendly for extracting metals?

• Traditional mining

• Phyto-mining

• Using strong acids

• High-temperature smelting

Why is recycling metals considered important?

• It requires more energy than extracting from ores

• It is a slower process than mining

• It reduces the demand for raw materials

• It produces more waste materials

What is the solution called that bacteria produce in bioleaching?

• Alkali

• Aqua

• Leachate

• Acid