Home > Community > What is the best method for sulfide copper leaching?
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+ Copper
+ Minerals
+ Sulfides
+ Solvent extraction
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Adrian Aziz Santoso Rian

What is the best method for sulfide copper leaching?

Badi DukviL  Follow

All of the answers above are correct, however there are a number of economical solutions depending on how much ore there is, the grade of the ore, presence of other elements...
A low grade sulphide ore leaching could be contemplated using an oxidative / bacterial heap leach.
Another option is to concentrate the sulphides using flotation, then atmospheric or pressure leaching with oxygen to solubilise the copper. Roasting to remove the sulphur and oxidise the copper for acid leaching is also an option. Ammonia leaching of the converted oxide copper can also be contemplated.
There are pros and cons for each option. Note that typically for a high purity copper product, further leach solution purification may be required prior to final copper production, this is usually done with solvent extraction and electrowinning.

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Charles MacKay  Follow

Cement copper is extracted from leachete with sulphuric acid using scrap iron. as Iron replaces Cu. The process usually takes time up to 18 days and has been tried in Cyprus. Just check the process in the articles.  

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Chaim Israel  Follow

Bioleaching, with Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.

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Cecil Williams  Follow

One of the important subject in copper sulfide leaching, Ore Characterisation and related method. Bacteria Heap Leaching and Oxidative bacterial heap leaching two methods that apply for low grade copper sulfide leaching. Is the better you done and detailed search in Geo Coat processes and etc. 

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Collince Becky  Follow
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Bill Jones  Follow

What is the main type of feed minerals? Chalcopyrite or Chalcocite or Bornite...?
Can even the type and tonnage of the mine reserve be decisive?
What are the facilities in the mine? Is there an SX-EW factory? Or is it a small mine that's just getting started?

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Omar Hassan  Follow

One of the important subject in copper sulfide leaching, Ore Characterisation and related method. Bacteria Heap Leaching and Oxidative bacterial heap leaching two methods that apply for low grade copper sulfide leaching. Is the better you done and detailed search in Geo Coat processes and etc. 

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Brett Deese  Follow

Based on my experience, CuS could be extracted by using leaching method, especially the leaching by using sulphuric acid solution. Moreover, both the atmosphere pressure leaching and high pressure leaching could be considered. For the case of the atmosphere pressure leaching, the CuS should be roasted before leaching, in order to transfer CuS to CuO. After that, the Cu will be easily extracted by the acid solution with a low concentration. However, the SO2 gas will be produced during roasting. It should be absorved by the alkali solution. On the other hand, high pressure leaching method could also be considered. In ths case, S in the CuS will transfer to S element and could be recycled. This high pressure leaching method already have the application in the extraction of Zn from ZnS concentrate. However, this method need the acid solution with a high concentration. Also, the temperature during leaching is also higher than that of atmosphere pressure leaching. The above is just my viewpoint based on my experience..

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Chris Calone  Follow

Copper sulphides   normally concentrates obtained by flotation, were leached with acidic ferric chloride solutions at temperatures above 90oC maintaining molar ratio for the time varying from 6 to 24 hours.  The solution is subjected to galvanic cementation to get pure copper precipitate which is further processed to make wire.  The lechant is regenerated normally by chlorination of ferrous chloride solution.  In case of lean ores  which will be subjected to crushing in HPGR are subjected dump/ heap leaching aided by bacteria followed by LIX64 treatment of lean solutions and  subsequent electrolysis.  The method depends on economics,  ore type and grade and market conditions.  Normally HPGR - bio leaching of dumps - LIX64 treatment - electrolysis is popular as grades are declining.

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Asela Giganage  Follow

Please make the question somewhat specific. Is the type of feed concentrate or ore? What is its grade?

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David Newberry  Follow

There are many and varied methods for the dissolution of sulfide minerals. It is the technical and economic conditions that determine.


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