New technology to extract more copper at low cost.

Is multiplied by the sulfuric acid that contains bacteria of multiple very low ore of copper content , Oil, Gas and Metals National of Japan (JOGMEC) development , a new technique for extracting the copper more with low- cost , northern Chile I began through 23 large- scale demonstration experiments for practical use in the mines of Copiapo suburbs .Future , growing demand in China and India continue high growth are uncertain copper there is a wide range of applications such as electrical circuits and wires , technology development to tap a vein of copper low- content taken up in Japan with less resources is urgently needed . Potential to re- develop a copper mine that vein is exhausted by the new technology came out , JOGMEC hopes .
Be the creation of a material change in copper mineral resources from will have began to deplete one too will become necessary in the future. Prospect is I want is to arrive towards the practical demonstration ends in success at this stage anyway .


銅含有率の極めて低い鉱石に複数のバクテリアを含んだ硫酸をかけ、低コストでより多くの銅を抽出する新技術を、日本の石油天然ガス・金属鉱物資源機構（ＪＯＧＭＥＣ）が開発、チリ北部コピアポ郊外の鉱山で実用化に向けた大規模実証実験を２３日までに始めた。
　電線や電気回路など幅広い用途がある銅は今後、高成長を続ける中国やインドでの需要拡大が確実で、資源の少ない日本にとり低含有率の銅鉱脈を開拓する技術開発が急務。新技術により鉱脈が枯渇した銅鉱山を再開発できる可能性が出てきたと、ＪＯＧＭＥＣは期待している。
　いずれ鉱物資源は枯渇していってしまうでしょうから銅に変わる物質を造り出すことも今後必要になってくるでしょうね。ともかく現段階では実証実験が成功に終わり実用化に向けて目処がつくようになってほしいですね。