Study of the Extraction Process of the Main Components of the Productive Solution (Copper, Iron and Silica) of the Almaly Deposit

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to study the extraction of the main components of the productive solution of the Almaly deposit with oxyoxime extractants. As the practice of existing plants shows, one of the main drawbacks of the process when implementing the liquid extraction process at various fields is the formation and accumulation of a large volume of the third phase (crud), which leads to a slowdown, in some cases to a stop in the solvent extraction process, thereby reducing the efficiency of the entire production copper by SX-EW technology. One of the main factors leading to the formation of such a phase are harmful metal impurities, solid suspensions in the solution supplied for extraction, improper selection of extractants and the operation mode of the extraction cycle. To prevent such a process, it is important to study the extraction of the main components of productive solutions with different extractants. Studies on the extraction of metals from the productive solution of the Almaly deposit of composition, g/dm3 : Cu 0.235-0.262, Fe 17.97-21.55, SiO2 0.34-0.36 were carried out using reagents Acorga 5640 (10%), Acorga 5640 (5%) with CR60 additive and Lix 984N (10%). It was found that when using the first two, they led to the accumulation of iron and silica ions in the organic phase, and at Lix 984N (10%), the maximum transition of silica ions into the electrolyte, and iron into the raffinate. The accumulation of iron and silica ions in the organic phase is undesirable and may be the cause of crud formation.