Phytomining and Bioleaching. What is phytomining? What is Bioleaching?

For your GCSE chemistry make sure you know how phytomining and bioleaching can be used to extract metals from low grade ores.
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[@Lucky9Ge]

Thank you so much for this Mr. B! Now I can visualise what this process actually looks like

[@revisechemistrywithmrb]

You’re very welcome. Good luck with the revision 👍

[@Tinybadger]

Thanks! I’m not a GCSE student but interested in learning more about metallurgy so hope you don’t mind me asking-
1) what are the soot compounds other than copper and what happens to them when the sulphuric acid is added?
2) if you didn’t know what metals the soil would contain, how would you decide what acid to use with the soot? Or would it be a multi step process with the same solution after copper extraction for example?
Hope that makes sense, just delving back into chemistry after years is tough!

[@revisechemistrywithmrb]

Hi there. Thanks for your question. First I must be clear I’m no expert in metallurgy so I can’t really answer the question about the soot compounds. In terms of knowing what metals are in the soil, they would probably be tested in a lab using mass spectrometry . The different metals may then be separated out by a combination of techniques like ion exchange or a variety of chemical reactions. For example, aluminium may be removed by reacting with 6M NaOH. Sorry I can’t be more helpful but I’m glad to hear you are looking to get back into chemistry. I hope it goes well.

[@revisechemistrywithmrb]

Btw metallurgy will become increasingly important as we need to source more metals for green technologies that need batteries such as electric cars

[@neoindigena]

Isn't a bit dangerous to be working with sulfuric acid with no gloves..?

[@revisechemistrywithmrb]

It would be if it was concentrated but I was only using a low concentration 👍