Abstract
In this study, focused radio wave (RW) assisted leaching was investigated for the first time to considerably enhance the efficiency of copper leaching from its low-grade ores. For this purpose, the effect of exposure to radio wave electromagnetic irradiation was experimentally investigated. Two series of leaching tests were conducted, in the form of agitated slurry and fixed-bed column modes. The experimental results indicated a significant improvement of recovery in both modes. The most probable mechanisms for enhanced recoveries could be the dielectric heating through concentrated irradiation. For less than 24 h of leaching in the fixed-bed column under irradiation, the recovery improved by about 40% (~60% for leaching vs. ~100% for RF leaching), as compared to the same tests with no irradiation, while the agitated leaching tests showed an increase of up to 10% under irradiation. It is concluded that electromagnetic technology, even in the range of radiofrequency (<109 Hz), has the potential to be used to improve the rate and the final copper recovery from copper ores.
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