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

Why are alternative methods such as bioleaching particularly suitable for treating tailings and low-grade ores?

A company plans to replace part of its aluminium production with aluminium recovered by recycling. Which environmental benefit is most likely from this change?

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 of the following policy or regulatory measures would most encourage adoption of alternative, lower-emission extraction methods?

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 of the following best describes phytomining as an alternative method to extract a metal from low-grade ore?

Which of the following is a common disadvantage of phytomining and bioleaching compared with large-scale smelting?

A company considers bioleaching to extract copper from a heap of low-grade ore. Which factor would most reduce the effectiveness of bioleaching?

Which environmental concern is most directly reduced by replacing high-temperature smelting with phytomining or bioleaching for low-grade ores?

Which metal is typically extracted by electrolysis of a molten oxide rather than by reduction with carbon because it is more reactive than carbon?

An economist compares two options to treat low-grade copper ore: conventional smelting or bioleaching + SX–EW. Which factor should be included in a life-cycle cost comparison that favors bioleaching?