Purification of copper concentrate by removal of arsenic and antimony with concomitant regeneration and recycle of lixiviant
US10385420B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2015 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/20
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A hydrometallurgical process for the removal of arsenic and antimony from a so-called “dirty” copper concentrate (101) is described. The process comprises the following steps: Step 1: repulping (100) the “dirty” copper concentrate with an alkaline lixiviant (102, 103), and subjecting the “dirty” copper concentrate to an alkaline leaching process (“the Leach”) in a Leach reactor (110). The arsenic and antimony are dissolved in the Leach to produce a “clean” copper concentrate (138) and leach discharge liquor (132). Step 2: subjecting the Leach discharge liquor (132) to a lime treatment step (151) in order to regenerate (150) the alkaline lixiviant as well as precipitate an impurity rich precipitate (161) containing arsenic and antimony. Then the impurity rich precipitate (161) is separated (160) from the regenerated alkaline lixiviant (162). The impurity rich precipitate is washed and disposed of in an environmentally safe condition. Step 3: recycling the regenerated alkaline lixiviant (162) to the Leach in Step 1, and so employing the recycled alkaline lixiviant (102) in the further extraction of arsenic and antimony from incoming “dirty” copper concentrate (101).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.