Investigating of a Low-Grade Copper Concentrate Desilication by Alkali Pressure Leaching

Abstract:

Low grade copper concentrate, composed mainly of plagioclase, quartz, pyrite, chlorite, chalcopyrite, glauconite, is a promising source for the future recovery of copper and other valuable components, which processing by existing methods are not economical. An alkali pressure leaching method, followed by acid leaching for extraction of aluminum and silica from such low-grade copper concentrate with the aim to enrich other valuable metals content, was explored in this research. The samples were characterized by using wet chemical analysis and X-ray diffraction. An alkali pressure leaching, followed by dilute acid leaching for enrichment of low-grade copper concentrate, allows to extract in a solution of 90,4% Si, 83.82% Al and 7.73% of Cu with the following optimal parameters: NaOH/concentrate-1 mass ratio = 65%, alkali leaching temperature = 240 °C, the alkali leaching time = 90 min. The content of copper in the final concentrate was 19.17%. Consequently, the technology of processing of low-grade copper raw materials is proposed, that allows to increase the comprehensiveness of raw materials usage.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 946)
• Pages: 608-614
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.946.608
• Online since: February 2019
• Authors: Andrey A. Shoppert*, Irina V. Loginova, V.N. Pismak
• Keywords: Acidic Leaching, Alkali Leaching, Aluminosilicates, Comprehensive Processing, Copper Concentrate, Extraction

References

[1] L. Sinclair, J. Thompson, In situ leaching of copper: challenges and future prospects, Hydrometallurgy. 157 (2015) 306-324.

DOI: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2015.08.022

[2] D. A. Singer, Future copper resources, Ore Geology Reviews. 86 (2017) 271-279.

DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2017.02.022

[3] R.G. McDonald, D.M. Muir, Pressure oxidation leaching of chalcopyrite 1. Comparison of high and low temperature reaction kinetics and products, Hydrometallurgy. 86 (2007) 191-205.

DOI: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2006.11.015

[4] I.V. Ukraintsev, G.V. Petrov, B.S. Ivanov, A.Ya. Boduen, Autoclave conditioning of a low-grade sulphide copper concentrate, Tsvetnye Metally. 10 (2016) 43-48.

DOI: 10.17580/tsm.2016.10.06

[5] D.A. Rogozhnikov, B.V. Kolmachikhin, Polymetallic ore concentration middlings Nitric Acid leaching kinetics, Solid State Phenomena. 265 (2017) 1065-1070.

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/ssp.265.1065

[6] D.A. Rogozhnikov, S.V. Mamyachenkov, O.S. Anisimova, Nitric Acid Leaching of Copper-Zinc Sulfide Middlings, Metallurgist. 60 (2016) 229-233.

DOI: 10.1007/s11015-016-0278-7

[7] C.G. Anderson, The Optimization, Design and Economics of Industrial NSC Oxidative Pressure Leaching Of Complex Sulfide Concentrates, Inter. J. of Eng. and Science. 2 (2013) 01-16.

[8] Y. Dong, H. Lin, X. Xu, S. Zhou, Bioleaching of different copper sulfides by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and its adsorption on minerals, Hydrometallurgy. 140 (2013) 42-47.

DOI: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2013.05.009

[9] T. Khonthu, J. Wiese, C.T. O'Connor, A comparative study of the flotation performance of ores treated in an IsaMill and a ball mill, IMPC 2012. 26 (2012) 2421-2428.

[10] X. Ye, S. Gredelj, W. Skinner, S.R. Grano, Regrinding sulphide minerals - Breakage mechanisms in milling and their influence on surface properties and flotation behavior, Powder Technology. 203 (2010) 133-147.

DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2010.05.002

[11] S. Palaniandy, Impact of mechanochemical effect on chalcopyrite leaching, Int. J. Miner. Process. 136 (2015) 56-65.

[12] X. Ma, J. Yang, H. Ma, C. Liu, Hydrothermal extraction of potassium from potassic quartz syenite and preparation of aluminum hydroxide, Int. J. Miner. Process. 147 (2016) 10-17.

DOI: 10.1016/j.minpro.2015.12.007

[13] A.K. Majumder, B. Govindarajan, T. Sharma, H.S. Ray, T.C. Rao, An empirical model for chloridising-roasting of potassium in glauconitic sandstone, Int. J. Miner. Process. 43 (1995) 81-89.

DOI: 10.1016/0301-7516(94)00041-w

[14] S.K. Jena, N. Dhawan, D.S. Rao, P.K. Misra, B.K. Mishra, B. Das, Studies on extraction of potassium values from nepheline syenite, Int. J. Miner. Process. 133 (2014) 13-22.

DOI: 10.1016/j.minpro.2014.09.006

[15] Y.M. Nie, H.W. Ma, H. Liu, P. Zhang, M.Y. Qiu, L. Wang, Reactive mechanism of potassium feldspar dissolution under hydrothermal condition, J. Chin. Ceram. Soc. 34 (2006) 846-850.

[16] A.А. Shoppert, I. V. Loginova, L. I. Chaikin, and D. A. Rogozhnikov, Alkali fusion-leaching method for comprehensive processing of fly ash, Technogen Conference Proceedings, KnE Materials Science. 1 (2017) 89-96.

DOI: 10.18502/kms.v2i2.952

[17] J. Chen, J. Yang, H. Ma, Preparation of nano-sized wollastonite using calcium silicate residue of potassium feldspar after extraction of potassium and alumina, Key Eng. Mat. 633 (2014) 35-38.

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.633.35

[18] P. Smith, The processing of high silica bauxites — Review of existing and potential processes, Hydrometallurgy. 98 (2009) 162-176.

DOI: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2009.04.015

[19] Y. Guo, Q. Zhao, K. Yan, F. Cheng, H.H. Lou, Novel process for alumina extraction via the coupling treatment of coal gangue and bauxite red mud, Ind. and Eng. Chem. Research, 53 (2014) 4518-4521.

DOI: 10.1021/ie500295t

[20] X.F. Zhu, T.A. Zhang, Y.X. Wang, G.Z. Lü, W.G. Zhang, Recovery of alkali and alumina from Bayer red mud by the calcification–carbonation method, Int. J. of Miner., Met. and Materials. 23 (2016) 257-268.

DOI: 10.1007/s12613-016-1234-z

[21] P.J. Cresswell, I.L. Grayson, A.H. Smith, U.S. Patent 4668485-A. (1986).