STUDY OF HYDROMETALLURGICAL PROCESSING OF ROASTED COPPER CONCENTRATE LEACH SOLUTIONS

Abstract

PURPOSE. The hydrometallurgical processing of roasted copper concentrate leach solutions by sorption with the following electrolytic precipitation of copper is studied. METHODS. Sorption of copper and silver is proposed from the obtained sulphate solution on an ionite Lewatit MonoPlus ТР-220. RESULTS AND THEIR DISCUSSION. The sorption process features high technological parameters and its concentrations don’t reach a breakthrough. Copper ion exchange capacity is 56g per liter of resin; silver sorption is at the fullest extent possible. Copper is stripped by the solution of ammonia. It has been determined that the decomposition degree of copper ammonia and stripped ammonia is more than 98% at the process temperature of 95ºС and duration of not less than 300 minutes. Almost all ammonia transforms from ammonia eluate to the gas phase and then is regenerated in the form of ammonia water. Contained in the eluate copper and silver precipitate in the form of copper hydroxide (II) and silver oxide with a small amount of impurities of precious and rare metals. Based on the results of the conducted studies the process of electrowinning of copper is recommended after dissolving the precipitate. CONCLUSIONS. The studies resulted in obtaining the cathode copper corresponding to the grade M00k. The main electrolysis parameters are: current output is 95%, power consumption is 3100 kWh/t of the cathode precipitate. Silver from the solution is precipitated in the form of sludge and is processed to produce silver ingots.