Paper 4 H - SAMPLE SET 1 Q10
10) Read the information about production of copper.
A scientist stated:
- World demand for copper in 2014 was about 22 million tonnes.
- World reserves of copper are about 700 million tonnes.
- Most of the copper today is obtained from copper ores. The ores are mined.
- Copper ore is heated in a furnace to produce copper sulfide. The furnace is heated by burning fossil fuels. Air is blown through the hot copper sulfide to produce copper and sulfur dioxide.
- Some copper is extracted from low-grade ores by phytomining. Phytomining uses plants to absorb copper compounds. The plants are burned and copper is extracted from the ashes.
A scientist stated:
‘more copper should be extracted by phytomining.’
Use the information to justify the scientist’s statement. [6 marks]
(Total for Question 10 = 6 marks)