Abstract
AbstractDumps in the Central German Mansfeld mining district have been investigated by a multi‐disciplinary research team to develop a holistic concept for the recovery of base and trace metals from low‐grade Kupferschiefer ore. Geochemical and mineralogical data from representative sampling indicate that the low‐grade Kupferschiefer dumps contain significant amounts of Cu (0.6 %) and Ag (up to 800 ppm), besides exploitable grades of Pb and Zn. Additionally to flotation and hydrometallurgy, first shake flask bioleaching experiments on otherwise untreated Kupferschiefer ore yield Cu recovery rates of up to 95 %. A total of 900 t Cu and 5 t Ag contained in black copper can thus be produced from the pilot dump of 100 000 m3 low‐grade Kupferschiefer ore. Additionally, large volumes of limestone waste, separated from the dumps by sensor‐based sorting, can be utilized as aggregate in the construction industry.
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