Selective solubilization of gangue from copper concentrate using biosolvents

Abstract

A mixture includes a copper concentrate and an extraction composition. The extraction solution includes an aqueous solution that includes a first organic acid, an optional additional organic acid, and optionally an inorganic acid. The extraction composition is configured to selectively solubilize one or more components include a magnesium (Mg) component, an aluminum (Al) component, a silicon (Si) component, a fluorine (F) component, an iron (Fe) component, a molybdenum (Mo) component, or any combination thereof from the copper concentrate. A method for extracting a metal from copper concentrate. The method includes selectively solubilizing a Mg component, Al component, Fe component, Si component, F component, and/or Mo component including one or more minerals, one or more salts, or any combination thereof from copper concentrate into an extraction composition. The extraction composition includes an aqueous solution of an organic acid, an optional additional organic acid, and an optional inorganic acid.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.