Patent · US Expired

Process for the extraction of copper

US6503293B1 · kind B1 · utility

8Cited by
4References
9Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 22, 2000
Grant dateJan 7, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 22, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P10/20
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A process for the extraction of copper from a copper sulphide containing concentrate such as chalcopyrite, involves dispersing the finely divided copper sulphide containing concentrate in an aqueous sulphuric acid solution to form a slurry; providing an effective amount of a suitable surfactant such as lignosol or quebracho; reacting with agitation the slurry and surfactant with free oxygen bearing gas in a pressure vessel at an elevated temperature to extract the copper values from the concentrate to produce the final leach solution containing dissolved copper values and a solid residue; and separating the final leach solution containing the dissolved copper values from the solid residue.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.