Treatment of copper sulfide concentrates
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United States of America Patent
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Jan 5, 1993
Grant Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Jul 19, 1991
filing date -
Jul 19, 1991
priority date (Note) -
Expired
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Abstract
A hydrometallurgical method is provided for recovering copper from particulate copper sulfide flotation concentrate containing at least about 20% copper by weight as cuprous and cupric sulfide, a significant portion of the copper in the copper sulfide concentrate being in the cuprous state. The flotation concentrate in the finely divided state is subjected to leaching with an alkaline solution of ammonia plus ammonium sulfate at a temperature ranging from about 10.degree. C. to 95.degree. C., preferably about 20.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. the amount of concentrate being proportioned at least stoichiometrically to the ammonia concentration of the leaching solution. The sulfide concentrate is leached under substantially ambient pressure while continuously aerating the solution for a time at least sufficient to dissolve the cuprous copper and oxidize it to the cupric state while avoiding or substantially minimizing the oxidation of cupric sulfide to sulfate, and thereby obtain a filtrate containing at least about 15% of the total amount of copper in the concentrate and provide a washed residue containing at least about 20% copper by weight comprised substantially of cupric sulfide.
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