Copper can be extracted by hydrometallurgy but not zinc. Explain.

Copper can be extracted by hydrometallurgy but not zinc as per the below-given reason:

The E^o of zinc ( Zn²⁺/Zn = - 0.76V) is lower than that of copper (Cu²⁺/Cu = 0.34V). this means that zinc is a stronger reducing agent and can displace copper from a solution of Cu²⁺ ions.

Zn (s) + Cu²⁺ (aq) → Zn²⁺ + Cu (s)

In order to displace zinc by hydrometallurgy, we need stronger reducing agent like K ( E^o_K+/K = - 2.93V)

2K (s) + 2H₂O (l) → 2KOH (aq) + H₂ (g)

As a result, these metals cannot be used in hydrometallurgy to extract zinc. Hence, copper can be extracted by hydrometallurgy but not zinc.