bioleaching

Question 1

what is bioleaching

Answer 1

process of bacteria breaking down low grade metal ores, releasing metals ions into an acidic solution (leachate)

to extract valuable metals from low grade ores, make metal compounds soluble

Question 2

why use bioleaching

Answer 2

cheaper/ uses less energy than traditional mining
allows copper to be extracted from low grade ores
bacteria used occur naturally, no special treatment needed
does not release harmful sulfur dioxide into atmosphere
does not lead to destruction of landscape like mining

Question 3

low grade ores

Answer 3

ores that contain too little metal for traditional methods to be profitable

Question 4

disadvantage of bioleaching

Answer 4

slow
toxic substances sometimes produced
acidic leachate can contaminate soil and water

Question 5

acid mine drainage

Answer 5

mines often flood when abandoned

metal sulfides oxidise underwater, producing sulfuric acid which reacts with other metal ores

soluble metal compounds form, these leave with the water as it drains from the mine

happens naturally but bacteria make them go faster, basis for BIOLEACHING (segway lol)

Question 6

bioleaching process ! !

Answer 6

bacteria oxidise iron(ii) and sulfide ions and use the energy transferred
sulfuricacid forms in the presence of water and oxygen
it breaks down copper sulfide ores and other minerals, releasing copper(ii) ions and other metal ions