Hydrometallurgical Processing of Chalcocite Tailing Sample for Extraction of Copper

Abstract

Objective: To recover the copper remained in tailing sample of chalcocite due to its hazardous impact on biota, in addition to the fact that primary sources are becoming scare and they are of high economic values. Methods: In order to recover copper from tailing, herein, hydrochloric acid leaching followed by the selective precipitation of copper has been studied. The parameters like acid concentration (1.0-2.5M), sodium hypochlorite addition dosage (0.5-5.0M), temperature (25-55°C), time (1-9h), agitation speed (180-360rpm) and pulp density (2-14 wt./vol.%) were varied to determine the optimum condition of leaching. Results: According to experimental findings, metal-chloro complexes were effectively synthesized by the addition of 0.5M hydrogen peroxide with 1.5M hydrochloric acid solution at 45°C, 3h of leach time and 260rpm that yielded approximately 99% of copper into the leach liquor. Afterward, the leach liquor was treated for recovery of copper salt by adding a 300g/L solution of sodium hydroxide, precipitating Cu(OH)2. Conclusion: The current research potentially contributes to both ecologically and economically through the hydrometallurgical processing of tailing sample for extraction of copper.