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Copper extraction refers to the methods used to obtain copper from its ores. The conversion of copper ores consists of a series of physical, chemical, and electrochemical processes. Methods have evolved and vary with country depending on the ore source, local environmental regulations, and other factors. [1]
Solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX/EW) is a two-stage hydrometallurgical process that first extracts and upgrades copper ions from low-grade leach solutions into a solvent containing a chemical that selectively reacts with and binds the copper in the solvent.
Copper slag is created during the copper smelting process. Around 4.5 million tons of copper slag is produced each year. Although copper slag is used in grit blasting and landfilling, only 15 to 20% of it is being used as of 2015. Since this is a heavily wasted material, finding ways to use it in different industries can reduce overall waste.
In 2011 leaching, both heap leaching and in-situ leaching, produced 3.4 million metric tons of copper, 22 percent of world production. [8] The largest copper heap leach operations are in Chile, Peru, and the southwestern United States. Although heap leaching is a low cost-process, it normally has recovery rates of 60-70%.
The most important method for copper extraction from chalcopyrite is pyrometallurgy. Pyrometallurgy is commonly used for large scale, copper rich operations with high-grade ores. [22] This is because Cu-Fe-S ores, such as chalcopyrite, are difficult to dissolve in aqueous solutions. [23] The extraction process using this method undergoes four ...
Electrorefining copper. Electrowinning is the oldest industrial electrolytic process. The English chemist Humphry Davy obtained sodium metal in elemental form for the first time in 1807 by the electrolysis of molten sodium hydroxide. Electrorefining of copper was first demonstrated experimentally by Maximilian, Duke of Leuchtenberg in 1847. [2]
Iron dissolves and copper metal is deposited. Solvent Extraction; Ion exchange; Gas reduction. Treating a solution of nickel and ammonia with hydrogen affords nickel metal as its powder. Electrowinning is a particularly selective if expensive electrolysis process applied to the isolation of precious metals. Gold can be electroplated from its ...
Smelting is a process of applying heat and a chemical reducing agent to an ore to extract a desired ... Copper–tin bronzes, harder and more durable, were developed ...