Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A copper concentrate such as chalcopyrite is contacted with an aqueous solution includes acids and a reducing agent, such as vanadium (II) ions, chromium (II) ions, or tungstozincic acid (H₆ZnW₁₂O₄₀). The aqueous solution reduces the copper in the copper concentrate, which can then dissolve into the solution for recovery therefrom, or precipitate out of solution as copper compounds or elemental copper for recovery in as a solid phase product. The solid phase product can then be isolated, dissolved, and further electrowinned to recover a copper product from the copper concentrate. Oxidized reducing agent can be recovered in an electrochemical device with ferrous iron reactants. Hydrometallurgical routes to convert copper concentrates to copper are potentially less expensive and less polluting than current pyrometallurgical processing and an advantageous response to environmental and economic pressures for increased copper production.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim