Ores

• An ore is a rock that contains enough of a metal / metal compound to be worth extracting.
• Bioleaching uses bacteria to form a leachate which is used in displacement reactions to extract metals.
• Phytoextraction uses plants to absorb metal compounds that are then burnt where the metal is extracted from the ash.
• Bioleaching doesnt require high temperatures but toxic substances may be produced and damage the environment.
• Phytoextraction can extract metals from contamimated soil but is more expensive than mining and growing plants depend on the weather.
• If a metal is more reactive than carbon electrolysis is used to extract metal compounds.