General overview of the different methods of Extraction of Metals

Types of extraction


Many metals are found in the Earth's crust as ores. An ore is usually a compound of the metal mixed with impurities. When the metal is dug up, a method must be used to separate the metal from the rest of the ore. This is called extracting the metal.

The method of extraction depends on reactivity of the metal. The more reactive the metal, the more difficult it is to extract from its compound.

1)Electrolysis:
-Used in extracting aluminium and extracting sodium from rock salt.
-In the case of the rock salt, it is first melted in giant steel tanks.
-The extraction of aluminium is dealt with in a separate learn its within this topic.
-Electrolysis is the most powerful extraction method. But it takes a lot of electricity and that makes it expensive.

Hence, electrolysis is only used for the most reactive metals.


2)Heating with Carbon monoxide:
-Used for extracting iron from iron ore using the blast furnace.
-Cheap

Hence, heating with carbon monoxide widely used.

3)Roasting in Air:
-Used in extracting copper from copper (I) sulphide (copper pyrites).
-The copper is extracted by roasting the ore in air.

One method of Extraction of Metals is:
Iron Ore mining.


(Soure from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtA0p09SE6o&feature=related)