What is the general process of phytomining?

Phytomining involves the use of plants to absorb metal compounds from the soil. This bioremediation process allows certain plants, known as hyperaccumulators, to take up metals that are present in low concentrations in the soil. Once the plants have absorbed these metals, they can be harvested and processed to extract the metal for use.

This method is particularly beneficial for extracting metals from contaminated land or mining waste, as it provides a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to recover valuable resources. Plants can selectively accumulate metals in their tissues, making it possible to concentrate these metals for extraction.

In contrast, the other processes described do not pertain to phytomining. Injecting chemicals to leach metals focuses on chemical extraction, while mining ore directly from the ground refers to traditional mining methods. Heating ores to extract metals relates to metallurgical processes like smelting, which involve high temperatures and do not utilize biological means.