Abstract
Mineral leaching is the key unit operation in metallurgical processes and corresponds to the dissolution of metals. The study of leaching is carried out in many areas, such as geology, agriculture and metallurgy. This paper provides an introduction to the theoretical background regarding the mathematical modelling of the leaching process of copper minerals, establishing an overall picture of the scientific literature on technological developments and the generation of representative mathematical and theoretical models, and indicating the challenges and potential contributions of comprehensive models representing the dynamics of copper mineral leaching.
Highlights
Robles, P.; Castillo, J.; Toro, N.The global trend towards industrialization supports the increasing demand for industrial metals
Leaching is a process widely used in extractive metallurgy where a mineral is treated with chemicals to convert the valuable metals within into soluble salts, allowing the separation of minerals, which in industrial terms translates into the economic exploitation or marginal deposits
The main efforts have focused on the acid leaching of copper oxides, uranium minerals and cyanide leaching of gold minerals, and lately, leaching copper sulfide minerals by H2 SO4 + chlorides
Summary
Future copper demand projections indicate that the per capita copper in-use stock (IUS) is expected to fall gradually from the reference level of 240 kg/person to its minimum value of 227 kg/person around the year 2032 before peaking at 243 kg/person in 2070 as a result of growth in some end-use sectors and contraction in others This represents an increase of 1.0% between 2015 and. A comprehensive analysis of theoretical copper mineral leaching modeling techniques is developed, including industrial application using heap leaching. A systematic overview of mineral leaching models (expect for bioleaching processes) at the theoretical and empirical, laboratory and industrial scale is developed, identifying the key factors that drive mineral leaching processes and highlighting the significant variables that optimize the response, contributing to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of industrial leaching applications.
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