Hydrometallurgical Processing of Substandard Mixed Copper Ore with a High Sulfide Copper Content

Abstract

The depletion of rich copper raw material reserves makes the processing of low-grade oxidized and mixed ores from Kazakhstan using SX - EW hydrometallurgical technology particularly relevant. The object of the study was low-grade mixed copper ore from one of the deposits in the Karaganda region, characterized by a high sulfide copper content. The article presents the results of physicochemical studies of the initial ore, its leaching with sulfuric acid at different concentrations, and investigations of copper extraction and stripping processes. The application of modern LIX-type oxime extractants was analyzed. Model solutions were used to study the characteristics of the extraction process that ensure high copper recovery and the subsequent production of strip liquors suitable for electrolytic metal recovery. The study established the effect of pH and extractant concentration on the degree of copper extraction, demonstrated the possible formation of copper complexes with the extractant, and determined their composition. An extractant was selected to study the recovery of copper from pregnant solutions. The data obtained confirmed the efficiency of the SX-EW hydrometallurgical technology for processing substandard mixed copper-bearing ore with high sulfide copper content.