Process for extracting and recovering copper

Abstract

A process for extracting and recovering copper from an aqueous solution containing copper values comprising: (a) contacting the aqueous copper bearing solution with an organic phase comprising a water insoluble and water immiscible solvent solution of an extraction reagent formulation to extract at least a portion of the copper values into the organic phase; (b) separating the resultant copper pregnant organic phase from the copper baren aqueous phase; and (c) recovering the copper values from the copper pregnant organic phase; wherein the extraction reagent formulation comprise an (i) oxime extractant and (ii) an equilibrium modifier in which the modifier is a linear diester or polyester of an unbranched dicarboxylic acid and an unbranched alcohol.

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