Investigation on Removing Acid-Consuming Gangue from a Copper Tailings by Reverse Flotation

Abstract:

A technology route of “Reverse flotation of acid-consuming gangue minerals–Acid leaching for copper–Extracting–Electrodepositing” is proposed for recovery copper from tailings with high content of calcium oxide and high content of combined copper oxide. The effect of the main factors involving regulator dosage, collector type and dosage was investigated. On this regard, a open-circuit flotation test scheme was proceeded, by which a concentrate was obtained with 3.84% of CaO grade, 71.57% of CaO recovery, 0.82% of Cu grade and 79.76% of Cu recovery. This concentrate can be directly used for the production of sulfuric acid leaching and preparation of electrolytic copper. This technology can be used to fully utilize Cu from tailings, which will help to extend raw material sourcing for Chinese Cu industry.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 634-638)
• Pages: 3412-3415
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.634-638.3412
• Online since: January 2013
• Authors: Dan Liu, Shu Ming Wen, Yong Jun Xian, Jiu Shuai Deng
• Keywords: Calcium Oxide, Copper, Flotation Tailings, LO-18, Reverse Flotation

References

[1] Peacey, J, Guo, X, J, Robles, E,. Copper hydrometallurgy current status, preliminary economics, future direction and positioning versus smelting [J]. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2004, 14(3): 560568.

[2] JU Shao-hua, TANG Mo-tang, YANG Sheng-hai, TANG Chao-bo. Thermodynamics of Cu(II)-NH3-NH4Cl-H2O system [J]. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2005, 15(6): 1414-1419.

DOI: 10.1016/s1003-6326(06)60036-8

[3] Xian, Y J; Wen, S M; Deng, J S; Liu, J; Nie, Q, 2012. Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly, Volume 51, Number 2, April 2012 , pp.133-140(8).

DOI: 10.1179/1879139512y.0000000001

[4] Padilla, R., Vega, D. and Ruiz, M.C.: 'Pressure leaching of sulfidized chalcopyrite in sulfuric acid-oxygen media', Hydrometallurgy, 2007, 86(1-2): 80-88.

DOI: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2006.10.006

[5] Parker, A., Klauber, C., Kougianos, A., Watling, H.R. and van Bronswijk, W.:. 'An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of the mechanism of oxidative dissolution of chalcopyrite'. Hydrometallurgy, 2003, 71(1-2): 265-276.

DOI: 10.1016/s0304-386x(03)00165-8

[6] Qiu, T.S., Nie, G.H., Wang, J.F. and Cui, L.F.: 'Kinetic process of oxidative leaching of chalcopyrite under low oxygen pressure and low temperature'. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2007, 17(2): 418-422.

DOI: 10.1016/s1003-6326(07)60108-3

[7] Yoo, K. et al.,: 'Effect of chloride ions on leaching rate of chalcopyrite'. Minerals Engineering, 2010, 23(6): 471-477.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mineng.2009.11.007

[8] WANG Cheng-yan. Exploitation of rebellious low-grade copper oxide ore with high alkality gangues [J]. Mining and Metallurgy, 2001, 10(4): 49-52. (in Chinese)

[9] BRYDEN K O. Ammonium sulphate leaching of malachite and chrysocolla [D]. Salt Lake City: Department of Metallurgical Engineering, University of Utah, 1975: 25-48.