Copper extraction from copper smelter slag with pyrite or flotation tailings followed by water leaching

Abstract

This work presents the study of copper extraction from smelter slag, which is subjected to sulphating. Sulphating of slag was performed by pyrite concentrate or flotation tailings at temperatures from 500 to 650°C, and the resulting calcine was leached with water. The results showed that maximum copper leaching (70-73%) is obtained from calcine, obtained by two - and three hour sulphating at 550oC. The process is selective since only 3-5% of iron is leached. In addition to sulphating temperature, it was found that a great effect on copper leaching has the pyrite/flotation tailings: ratio. The best results were achieved by sulphating of 5.00 g slag with 2.00 g of pyrite or 3.00 g of tailings.

Keywords

• smelter slag
• roasting
• pyrite
• leaching