Alternative Methods Of Extracting Metals (ht Only) (GCSE Chemistry)

A copper mine produces low-grade ore containing copper sulfide. Which combination of methods could be used as an alternative route to extract copper with lower CO2 emissions than smelting?

Which analytical measurement would help determine whether phytomining has successfully concentrated a target metal in harvested biomass?

A mining company reports that switching from smelting to solvent-extraction electrowinning (SX–EW) after bioleaching reduced onsite CO2 emissions but increased use of organic solvents. Which trade-off does this illustrate?

Which statement correctly compares electrolysis with carbon reduction for extracting a reactive metal such as aluminium?

In solvent extraction/electrowinning (SX-EW) used after bioleaching, what is the main purpose of the solvent extraction stage?

Which of the following describes a key step in phytomining after harvesting metal-accumulating plants?

Why might an operator choose bioleaching for copper rather than directly using conventional cyanide leaching?

Which of the following best describes the main chemical principle that allows bioleaching microorganisms to dissolve metal from ore?

Which measurement would best indicate that a bioleaching operation is successfully dissolving metal from an ore heap?

When comparing alternative extraction methods, which metric describes the proportion of the element in the starting material that ends up in the product and is useful for evaluating sustainability?

Which safety or environmental hazard is specifically associated with bioleaching heaps that operators must manage?