What are the physical and chemical processes used to extract copper?
COPPER This answer looks at the extraction of copper from its ores, its purification by electrolysis, and some of its uses. Extracting copper from its ores The method used to extract copper from its ores depends on the nature of the ore. Sulphide ores such as chalcopyrite are converted to copper by a different method from silicate, carbonate or sulphate ores. Getting copper from chalcopyrite, CuFeS2 Chalcopyrite (also known as copper pyrites) and similar sulphide ores are the commonest ores of copper. The ores typically contain low percentages of copper and have to be concentrated by, for example, froth flotation before refining. Note: You will find a brief description of froth flotation on the introduction to metal extraction page. The process The concentrated ore is heated strongly with silicon dioxide (silica) and air or oxygen in a furnace or series of furnaces. The copper(II) ions in the chalcopyrite are reduced to copper(I) sulphide (which is reduced further to copper metal in th
