# Copper is an important metal used in electrical wiring. Most copper is extracted from copper-rich ores by smelting, but supplies of these ores are running out. Scientists are developing new methods to extract copper from low-grade ores. Explain why copper is a suitable metal for use in electrical wiring and describe TWO methods that can be used to extract copper from low-grade ores.

> OCR A-Level Chemistry B: Salters (H433) — DM Developing metals · Explain · 5 marks

> Copper is a transition metal found in Period 4 of the periodic table. It is one of the few metals that occurs naturally in its native form, but most copper is found as copper compounds in ores. As high-grade copper ores become scarce, alternative extraction methods that use low-grade ores are increasingly important.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Copper is a good conductor of electricity (so is suitable for electrical wiring)
2. Phytomining involves growing plants on low-grade ore / contaminated soil, which absorb copper compounds through their roots
3. The plants are burned / harvested and burned to produce ash that contains copper compounds (bioleaching — do not credit for this point)
4. Bioleaching uses bacteria to convert copper compounds in low-grade ore into a solution containing copper ions / leachate
5. In both methods, copper is obtained from the solution / leachate / ash by displacement using scrap iron (or by electrolysis)

## Key terms

- [low-grade ore](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/low-grade-ore)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Chemistry B: Salters (H433)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/copper-is-an-important-metal-used-3c195455) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.