Alternative methods of extracting metals

• Mining

  The process of extracting metals from the Earth's crust
• Bio leaching

  The use of bacteria to extract metals from low-grade ores
• Copper

  • Used in electronic equipment such as phones
  • Ores are becoming scarce and low-grade
• Phyto mining

  1. Plants are grown on land containing the metal compound

  2. Plants absorb the metal compound and concentrate it in their tissue

  3. Plants are harvested and burned

  4. Ash contains a high concentration of the metal compound
• Bio leaching

  1. Bacteria are mixed with the low-grade ore

  2. Bacteria carry out chemical reactions and produce a solution called leachate

  3. Leachate contains the metal compound
• Leachate

  The solution containing the extracted metal compound
• Extracting metal from the compound

  1. Displace the metal using a more reactive metal like iron

  2. Extract the metal using electrolysis
• Phyto mining and bio leaching allow economical extraction of metals from low-grade ores
• The Earth's resources of metal ores are limited
• Phyto mining and bio leaching do not involve digging, transporting and disposing of large amounts of rock unlike traditional mining