Hydrometallurgical copper recovery process
OwnerKyo Jibikiinventor
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Abstract
The invention provides processes for recovering copper metal from sulphide minerals via basic copper sulphate which is produced by pressure oxidation in chloride spiked sulphate solutions. Chloride contaminants in the basic copper sulphate obtained from the pressure oxidation reaction are removed in a reaction with an alkali, such as CaO. Thereafter, the basic copper sulphate is leached with a weak acid, and the resultant pregnant copper solution contains chloride ions at low concentrations, which allow copper electrolysis to operate efficiently.
Claims40
A method of treating basic copper sulphate solids produced by chloride ion assisted pressure oxidation of copper-bearing sulphide ores or concentrates, the method comprising reacting the basic copper sulphate solids with an aqueous solution of an alkali to yield copper hydroxide solids.
A method of recovering copper metal from copper sulphide ores or concentrates comprising:
- a) obtaining basic copper sulphate solids by chloride ion assisted pressure oxidation of copper-bearing sulphide ores and concentrates;
- b) removing chloride contaminants from the basic copper sulphate solids by reacting the basic copper sulphate solids with an aqueous solution of an alkali to yield copper hydroxide solids separable from a chloride-containing liquid;
- c) reacting the copper hydroxide with an acidic electrolyte solution containing sulphuric acid to yield a copper sulphate solution;
- and
- d) recovering copper from the copper sulphate solution by electrowinning.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.