Recovery Cu ad Ce from copper slag by using flotation and chemical methods

Abstract

Slag, which is now considered as a secondary source, attracts attention due to the metallic values they contain. Copper slags having economical operating grades in terms of Zn, Cu, Ce, Ni, Co, Mo, and V show complex mineralogy due to its thermal processing history. Various methods for the recovery of copper and other precious metals from this byproduct have been studied, and there are many operating flotation plants in industrial scale. However, in cases where physical or physo-chemical mineral processing methods are not sufficient, hydrometallurgical methods are applied. In this study, flotation was applied to copper slag with 0.9% Cu grade. Copper recovery and concentrate grade were found as around 40 and 22.7% Cu, respectively. Further, metal extractions were examined by conducting direct leaching tests. Gel formation was observed, when H2SO4was used in the leach process, therefore, the leach parameters were investigated using HCl. Cu and Ce extractions of around 70-80% were reached as a result of a test performed for 2 hours with the addition of 25 g/L H2O2 at a rate of 20-25% solids and 300 g/L HCl concentration. When the relationship of dissolved metals with each other wasexamined, dissolution behavior of Cu and Ce was quite similar to Al dissolution (R2=0.9).