6.19 How is leaching carried out in case of low grade copper ores?

NEETprep Answer: In case of low grade copper ores, leaching is carried out using acid or bacteria in the presence of air. In this process, copper goes into the solution as Cu2+ ions.

Cu(s)+2H(aq)++12O2(g)Cu(aq)2++2H2O(I)

The resulting solution is treated with scrap iron or H2 to get metallic copper. 

Cu(aq)2++H2(g)Cu(s)+2H(aq)+