COPPER RECOVERY FROM CHALCOPYRITE CONCENTRATE ACID LEACH SOLUTIONS

Abstract: Chalcopyrite concentrate from Hajar Mine, Morocco, was leached with nitro-fluosilicic acid leach solution. The pregnant leach solution obtained contained 19.3 g/dm3 Cu, 18.1 g/dm3 Fe, 4.5 g/dm3 Zn and 0.03 g/dm3 Pb. Copper recovery from this pregnant leach liquor was performed by solvent extrac-tion using Acorga M5397 diluted in Escaid 110. McCabe–Thiele distribution isotherms showed that at pH 1.7 complete and selective copper extraction can be achieved with φo/φa =1.5/1 in 3 stages of extraction. Stripping of the loaded copper by treating the organic phases by a fresh sulphuric acid solution was easily realized