Question

How is copper extracted from low grade ore?

Answer 1

Copper is the metal with the symbol Cu. It is reddish colour metal with the structure of a face centered cubic crystalline cell. It has the ability to reflect orange colour and red colour light. It also absorbs frequencies in the visible spectrum. It has the property of being malleable, ductile and is a good conductor of electricity.

Complete step by step answer:
The low grade ore from which copper is to be extracted firstly undergoes the process of leaching. Leaching is the process in which the extraction of the substance takes place from the solid material which is dissolved in a liquid. In this the solute is detached or extracted from the carrier substance by way of a solvent. The process of leaching is generally occurring naturally in an environment which the scientists have adapted for a variety of applications with other methods. There are different types of leaching process such as cyanide leaching which is done to extract gold from the ore. The other is ammonia leaching in which the ore is extracted from crushed ore. The other is alkali leaching in which the ore is extracted from bauxite ore. The other is acid ore in which the ore is extracted from sulfide ore.
In leaching the low grade ore is treated with some reagents that help to separate ore from impurities. Then further copper undergoes the process of reduction. As in reactivity scale copper is less reactive than hydrogen so it is reduced using hydrogen.

Note: Copper has good corrosion resistance. It has good machinability. It is non magnetic and has the ability of retention of mechanical and electrical properties at cryogenic temperature. It is easy to form alloy.