Question

What is hydrometallurgy?

Answer 1

Hydrometallurgy is:

1. A method to extract metals from ores using aqueous solutions.
2. Involves dissolving concentrated ores in suitable reagents.
3. Metal forms soluble salts while impurities precipitate.
4. Metal is recovered by displacement using a more electropositive metal.
5. Used for extracting less reactive metals like silver and gold.
6. Example: Mac Arthur Forrest cyanide process for silver and gold extraction.

This technique extracts metals by solution chemistry rather than melting or roasting.