Metal extraction – bioleaching and phytomining

This resource on the advantages and disadvantages of using bioleaching and phytomining to extract metals is suitable for GCSE chemistry (AQA 'Using resources' or OCR 'Chemicals of the natural environment'). It can be used to help students ‘evaluate alternative biological methods of metal extraction’.

In the first task, students sort statements into those that relate to bioleaching and those that relate to phytomining.

Also included is an information sheet about the advantages and disadvantages of these methods of metal extraction, with teaching ideas for how to use it in fun and collaborative ways.

Sample content

Bioleaching - advantages

• Simpler process than smelting and requires fewer expert staff to operate, reducing costs.
• Produces lower sulfur dioxide emissions than smelting.

Phytomining - advantages

• Decontaminates polluted ground.
• Carbon dioxide emissions are lower than for smelting.