Question

How hydrometallurgy is useful in the extraction of silver and gold?

Answer 1

1. Hydrometallurgy helps extract silver and gold by dissolving concentrated ores in suitable reagents to form soluble metal salts.
2. Impurities remain undissolved and get separated.
3. Metal recovery by adding a more electropositive metal, which displaces silver or gold.
4. This method provides a direct and efficient extraction of less electropositive metals like silver and gold.
5. Example: Mac Arthur Forrest cyanide process used for silver and gold extraction.