Copper Industry Research Articles

Fe2O3 and ZnO doped Al2O3-rich MgAl2O4 as Cr-free refractory matrix for copper industry: Sintering, phase evolution and slag corrosion

Fe2O3 and ZnO doped Al2O3-rich MgAl2O4 as Cr-free refractory matrix for copper industry: Sintering, phase evolution and slag corrosion

Assessment of carbon emissions and reduction potential in China's copper smelting industry

AbstractAs the largest producer and consumer of copper, China is facing enormous challenges from carbon peaking and neutrality. This article adopts “bottom‐up” and “top‐down” methods to construct a more accurate model, to predict the CO2 emissions of China's copper smelting industry, and explores its potential for carbon reduction in the future from three scenarios as the baseline scenario (BAU), the general low‐carbon (NLC), and the enhanced low‐carbon (ELC). The results show that the CO2 emissions can achieve a peak in 2028 either in NLC or ELC scenarios, with a peak range of 14.9–16.88 million tonnes. Prior to reaching the peak, the contributions of energy adjustment, material substitution, and process selection to carbon reduction have significantly improved, and the contribution rates increased from 30.91%, 4.11%, and 1.46% to 42.7%, 32.07%, and 15.63% in ELC scenario. After the peak, the contribution of energy adjustment gradually slows down, while the material substitution continues to increase, and the contribution rates increased from 21.25% and 32.07% to 29.38% and 40.01% in NLC and ELC scenarios. In the future, concentrate oxygen‐enriched bottom‐blowing smelting and direct refining from waste copper anode furnaces show ideal potential for carbon reduction before 2025, increasing the proportion of recycled copper production, and adjusting energy structure will be more effective from 2025 to 2035. The conclusions of this study can provide a scientific basis for formulating policy recommendations for green and low‐carbon development of the copper industry in China and all over the world in the future.

A Multi-Stage Differential-Multifactorial Evolutionary Algorithm for Ingredient Optimization in the Copper Industry

A Multi-Stage Differential-Multifactorial Evolutionary Algorithm for Ingredient Optimization in the Copper Industry

Analysis of the Development of Downstream Copper Industry in Indonesia to Obtain Maximum Added Value Using Dynamic Systems

This research aims to design a dynamic system model for the downstream copper processing industry. The secondary data obtained is data provided by the BKPM Strategic Investment Downstreaming Expert Team. Vensim software is used to simulate downstream development in the form of CLD and SFD from 2024 to 2045. The results of the value-added simulation resulted in an increase in the added value of copper cathode by 2.15 times, the added value of cathode slab by 1.62 times, the added value of copper billet by 1.65 times, the added value of copper bar &rods by 1.08 times, the added value of copper tube by 1.02 times, the added value of copper strip by 1.39 times, and the added value of copper wire by 1.58 times. After a sensitivity analysis of the selling price at CAGR and an increase in energy costs by 20%, there was a change in the average value-added margin, so that the increase in added value changed which resulted in an added value of copper cathode of 1.9 times, added value of cathode slab of 1.47 times, added value of copper billet of 1.49 times, added value of copper bar &rods of 1.26 times, added value of copper tube of 0.93 times, added value of copper strip of 0.98 times, and added value of copper wire of 1.44 times.

El Lugar de las mujeres y la familia en la historia del yacimiento estatal de Chuquicamata entre 1970 y 2020

Over a century of existence, Chuquicamata-CODELCO company in Chile has deployed strategies that strengthen identities and loyalties that underlie a hegemonic model of male dominance, so far without counterpoint in Chilean mining. In this article, we explore how the copper industry has shaped subjectivities, social relations and loyalties among workers at the Chuquicamata mine from a gender perspective. We explore the interaction between the concreteness of the copper activity and the process of subjectivation that has generated, on the one hand, shared identities and, on the other, particular social configurations. We also observe practices of constitution of masculinized mining bodies and the way in which they are linked to family and work identities developed in different domestic and productive spaces and controlled in different ways by the company.

Standing at the crossroads — ‘En Ḥaẓeva in the Early Iron Age IIA

This paper presents, for the first time, an analysis of the early Iron Age IIA occupation at ‘En Ḥaẓeva. A series of radiocarbon measurements from short-lived samples obtained from the site’s earlier occupation levels (Strata VIII–VII) were all dated to the 10th century BCE. It is noteworthy, that Stratum VII occupies the second half of the 10th century BCE exclusively, with its final phase around 900 BCE. Fixing the site’s absolute chronology has far-reaching implications, enabling the placement of the early Iron Age IIA settlement within the broader historical context. Situated c. 20 kilometres from the most significant copper industry centre in the Levant — Khirbet en-Nahas, ‘En Ḥaẓeva enjoyed a strategic location in the transport network of copper through the Negev Highlands and the Beer-Sheba Valley to the Mediterranean seaports. It is claimed that the economic prosperity related to copper production at Khirbet en-Nahas during the early Iron Age IIA was ‘En Ḥaẓeva’s raison d’être.

Selective separation and recovery of valuable metals through directional vulcanization of black copper sludge

The recovery of copper (Cu) from secondary sources has emerged as a promising trend in the copper industry’s advancement. Black copper sludge (BCS), a valuable hazardous waste produced during Cu electrolytic refining, contains various precious metals, including Cu3As. This study investigates theoretical and experimental aspects using BCS as a raw material to mitigate solid waste emissions and retrieve valuable metals. The proposed method for separating Cu from As through directional sulfidation offers an environmentally friendly solution. Gibbs free energies of the sulfidation reaction between BCS and S were calculated using HSC Chemistry 9.0, with experimental validation confirming the method’s feasibility. The study explores the effects of vulcanization temperature, holding time, and S content during the vulcanization reaction. Under optimal conditions of 873 K temperature, 60 min holding time, and 20 % excess S, Cu existed as Cu2S in the sulfide residue, while As2O3 was observed as a condensate. Cu and As recovery rates were 98.38 % and 84.62 % respectively, with a 99.98 % removal efficiency for Cu volatiles and 94.36 % for As residue. This method effectively separates Cu and As from solid wastes containing As, offering a simpler and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods. The study presents a novel, eco-friendly, and highly efficient approach for the safe disposal of As-containing solid waste.

Resilience assessment of trade network in copper industry chain and the risk resistance capacity of core countries: Based on complex network

Copper is a critical mineral for the energy transition, facing significant risks of supply disruptions. To explore the copper industry chain's resistance to such risks, this article constructs a trade network for the global copper industry chain based on complex network methods, utilizing 2022 data on copper ores and concentrates, blister copper, refined copper, copper semis, and copper waste and scrap. It assesses the industry's resilience from both static and dynamic perspectives, and analyzes the risk resistance capacity of core countries. The results indicate that: (1) in the copper industry chain, copper semis, copper waste and scrap exhibit a relatively high level of overall resilience, but copper ores and concentrates, blister copper, and refined copper display a lower level of overall resilience. This indicates that the upstream of the copper industry chain is more susceptible to external factors than that of the downstream. (2) Targeted factors such as economic sanctions and trade disputes have a more serious impact on the copper industry chain than random factors such as natural disasters and transportation interruptions. Meanwhile, targeted factors have a stronger impact on the transmission efficiency and connectivity of the network. (3) There are significant communities in the copper industry chain, with some core countries playing an important role in connecting the network. In terms of connectivity, influence, and control, developed countries represented by the United States and the United Kingdom are stronger than the other two groups; emerging developed countries like Japan and South Korea exhibit lower propagation and intermediary capacities; emerging industrialized countries represented by Brazil and South Africa fall somewhere between the first two. Additionally, China and India demonstrate relatively important influence within the copper industry chain. Finally, this article provides policy recommendations for maintaining the stability of the copper industry chain and enhancing its resilience.

MACROECONOMIC FACTORS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN LOW DEVELOPING COUNTRIES FOR EXAMPLE ZAMBIA

Currently, the issue of the influence of economic growth factors in low-development countries on the policy of improving economic well-being is widely discussed. The study showed that to the extent that government spending and rents on natural resources have a beneficial effect on GDP growth per capita, private direct investment affects economic growth significantly more than public investment. On the contrary, the increase in labor resources and inflation are holding back economic growth in these countries. This article examines the dynamics of Zambia's economic development, which has historically faced various problems, including dependence on copper exports, severe economic fluctuations and a low level of human capital quality. The authors emphasize the importance of diversification beyond the copper industry, as well as initiatives that promote agriculture, tourism, cultural development and renewable energy sources become potential paths for sustainable growth. The article also reviews the role of technology and innovation in moving Zambia towards a knowledge-based economy, contributing to increased competitiveness on the global stage. The Government should focus on improving infrastructure, especially in the fields of education and health, which play a key role in building up the country's human capital and export potential.

Separation process for the production of high-purity antimony and bismuth oxides from copper electrorefining circuit wastes: The relevance of the redox control

The copper pyrometallurgical industry faces challenges in maintaining copper purity due to increasing impurities in primary resources. Notably, Sb, Bi, and As can form insoluble compounds, compromising copper purity in electrorefining units. To address this, ion-exchange (IX) technology is employed to continually treat copper electrolyte of the electrorefining stage, removing Sb and Bi and ensuring a high copper purity (99.99 %). Upon IX resin saturation, regeneration with 6 M HCl produces a concentrated eluate containing Sb, Bi (7–14 g/L each), and As (1–4 g/L). Currently, lime treatment removes these impurities without valorization, which produces large volumes of waste containing As, Sb and Bi. Recognizing Sb and Bi as critical raw materials, this study aims to develop a valorization route, with the objective of recovering both elements free of As using selective precipitation. Pre-treating the eluate to reduce As and Sb to the (+III) state prevented mixed mineral phases, enabling the recovery of high purity Sb4O5Cl2(s) and BiOCl(s) containing low contents of impurities as As. Further improvement could be achieved with the conversion of the oxychlorides to the oxide forms (M2O3(s)) in alkaline media for potential commercial use. This research contributes to sustainable metal recovery and addresses toxicity concerns associated with As, paving the way for enhanced environmental and economic outcomes in the copper industry.

Tailings Behavior Assessment Using Piezocone Penetration Test

Intensive economic development is associated with an increasing demand for raw materials, including minerals. An illustrative example of this issue is the development of the copper industry. A significant problem arising from the scale of copper production is the management of an ever-growing amount of post-flotation tailings. This necessitates the need to ensure the continuity of safe storage. This study presents the results of studies on the behavior of deposits in the Żelazny Most Tailings Storage Facility (Poland). The primary objective of this study was to estimate the settlements of tailings under variable deposition conditions. The results were assessed using two methods: indirect and direct; this was based on cone penetration test (CPTU) results. The results were verified using Modified Cam Clay (MCC) modeling. Depending on the type of test, settlements ranged from several dozen centimeters to over three meters. Despite the observed differences, the results of both CPTU methods indicate a convergent trend in tailings behavior. Conversely, the results estimated using the direct method and numerical modeling demonstrate a high level of agreement.

Faynan, Nomads and the Western Negev in the Early Iron Age: A Critical Reappraisal

ABSTRACT The final report on the Edom Lowlands Regional Archaeology Project concludes that local nomadic tribes created a complex polity at early Iron Age Faynan, in southern Jordan, that was responsible for a radical shift in copper production to an industrial scale. Erez Ben-Yosef has subsequently used these conclusions as the key example in a theoretical argument about the social complexity – and, usually, archaeological invisibility – of nomadic societies. A review of the archaeological evidence from Faynan indicates that the sudden change at the beginning of the 10th century bce should not be attributed to local nomads. Evidence from the Wadi Fidan 40 cemetery – both material culture and chemical analysis of teeth – shows that its nomadic inhabitants did not actively participate in the copper industry. There is no evidence of a process of transition from nomadism to sedentarism at Faynan, and its architecture does not reflect any influence or antecedents in the archaeology of nomads. The evidence shows close material culture connections with the western Negev and the major site of Tel Masos. The scenario that best fits the evidence is that Masos took direct control of copper production at Faynan and developed it as an industrial site to exponentially increase the copper trade – Masos had the resources, technical skills, an architectural tradition, and connections to trade networks that the local nomads lacked, and which transformed Faynan. Hundreds of sites in the Negev Highlands were settled by pastoralists who found employment both in production and transport in the burgeoning copper industry. The industrial transformation of Faynan, along with the settlement of Tel Masos and the Negev Highlands sites, was short-lived, and lasted little more than a hundred years.

Processing of Electronic Scrap with Ausmelt TSL Technology

Continued decreasing of the world’s average copper ore grades, coupled with a meteoric rise in the generation of consumer waste streams, has led to the processing of electronic scrap (e-scrap) and other secondaries assuming increasing importance within the global copper industry. Treatment of these secondary feeds has traditionally been carried out in the Blast furnace, Peirce-Smith converter and/or anode furnace. More recently however, bath smelting processes such as the Ausmelt TSL and Outotec Kaldo technologies have emerged as the preferred option for processing these materials due to their superior environmental performance and flexibility to operate under a wide range of conditions. Furthermore, the ability of these processes to handle a wide range of feed inputs make them ideally placed for the processing of not only e-scrap but also other waste streams from the clean energy transition such as end of life e-mobility batteries and photovoltaic systems. This paper focuses on the processing of electronic scrap and other copper secondaries with Ausmelt TSL technology and discusses specific issues facing secondary copper smelters in relation to impurity management and process offgas handling/cleaning.

Jiangxi Copper Group Remuneration Policy Study

China's copper industry is an important industry in the national economy, with 91% of 124 industries related to copper. Jiangxi Copper Group has the highest self-sufficiency rate of copper concentrate in China, and is the largest and most modern copper production and processing base in China, and an important production base for gold, silver, selenium, tellurium, rhenium and other rare precious metals, and sulfur chemical industry. 1997, Jiangxi Copper Corporation was listed on the Hong Kong stock market, and in 2008, the management bodies of Jiangxi Copper Group Company and Jiangxi Copper Corporation were merged into a single one, and the company was listed as a whole. In 2008, Jiangxi Copper Group Corporation and Jiangxi Copper Corporation realized the merger of their management bodies into one, realized the overall listing, and established a modern management system and operation mechanism with the division system as the basic framework. This paper analyzes the remuneration policy of Jiangxi Copper Group by studying the remuneration status of its executives and employees, and compares it with other companies in the same industry to put forward development suggestions.

Regulation Mechanism for Designing Decarbonization Pathways in the Copper Industry Toward Carbon Neutrality.

The transformation of the global power structure caused by the carbon neutrality goal will promote copper consumption. It is crucial to explore the decarbonization pathways of the copper industry to help fulfill greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. This study utilized material flow analysis and life cycle assessment methods to investigate 12 different subscenarios based on international trade, circular economy, technology evolution, and environmental market factors. Policy combination scenario is employed to reveal the mechanism of decarbonization. The results show that refined copper consumption in China is expected to increase by 62.3% in 2060 compared to 2020. The GHG emissions of China's copper industry will reach 9.1 million tonnes (Mt) CO2e in 2060, technology evolution and environmental market are crucial for realizing carbon neutrality goal of this industry, accounting for 26.4 and 47.2% of emissions reductions, respectively, between 2020 and 2060. International trade and circular economy play important roles in the high-quality carbon peaking stage; however, imported copper and domestic secondary copper will constitute the basic supply of copper resources in China in the long run, and the comparative advantages of them will gradually weaken. Policy combination scenario can achieve the incentive synergy effect, with GHG reduced to 0.5 Mt CO2e in 2060. The enhanced application of policies such as material substitution and carbon emission trading will further promote industry to achieve net-zero GHG emission. We suggest regulating the industry's structure based on the international systemic circulation pattern and accelerating the construction of a green circular chain in the short term to achieve sustainable copper supply and high-quality carbon peaking. Promoting a high-quality technology development strategy and enhancing the environmental markets are recommended in the long term to achieve carbon neutrality.

Copper economic dynamics: Navigating resource scarcity, price volatility, and green growth

This research delves into the intricate discourse surrounding nations' pursuit of sustainable development between 2000 and 2020, focusing on ten major global copper-producing countries and leveraging international databases. It reveals a positive correlation between historical and current green growth efforts, an inverse relationship between copper prices and sustainable development, and explores the impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the energy sector on energy inefficiency. Emphasizing the financial dynamics within the copper industry, the study highlights the potential negative impact of increased tax revenues on green growth. Furthermore, it underscores the pivotal role of financial conditions and economic context in shaping sustainable development, advocating for a balanced policy approach. To advance green growth in the copper industry, strategic interventions are proposed, encompassing effective copper price management, the promotion of green technological advancements, attraction of green FDI, implementation of emission taxation systems, advocacy for sustainable corporate management, and leveraging AI and big data analytics to optimize green solutions and minimize ecological footprints.

Synthesis and production of copper nanocomposite encapsulated with porous nanographene modified with poly-citric acid (Cu@PNGO-PCA) by electrodeposition method

Copper composites reinforced with porous nanographene oxide (Cu@PNGO) have many applications in modern industry. Therefore, inventing and finding a simple, low-cost, and fast industrial method on a large scale to produce this nanocomposite is considered in this study. Cu@PNGO nanocomposite was produced by electrodeposition method on the surface of the copper electrode in different concentrations of 5 % copper sulfate encapsulated in porous nano-graphene oxide. Two-dimensional porous nanographene (PNG) is created by the chemical vapor method (porous nanographene oxide (PNGO)) and to increase the solubility, PNGO nanoparticles were functionalized by poly-citric acid (PCA). Structural, electrical, and conductivity properties of nanocomposite Cu@PNGO-PCA in electrolyte solution were analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In this study, by increasing the voltage and material concentration in the electrolyte by deposition method, the weight percentage of nanocomposite on the electrode increased and the electrode containing copper nanocomposite shows outstanding general properties compared to the copper electrode. The addition of porous nanographene oxide enhances the nucleation process and modifies the structure of copper deposited in the cathode electrode, thus improving the mechanical properties. Altogether, this method provides a promising prospect for mass and rapid production of porous nanographene oxide-reinforced copper nanocomposites with excellent overall properties that are well compatible with current copper industry technology at a lower cost.

Which sectors should be covered by the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism?

The European Union (EU) is developing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to address carbon leakage in international trade. However, the EU has paid inadequate attention to input‒output linkages, specifically those in the steel, aluminum, and fertiliser industries. This study aims to identify priority sectors eligible for initial regulation within the emissions-intensive trade-exposed (EITE) industries based on input–output linkages and compare its impacts with the current CBAM sector coverage. This study constructs a Global Production Network (GPN) and Carbon Flow Network (CFN) to present the input trade and embodied carbon flows for the EITE industries. This study highlights the role of the EITE industries as influential nodes in the production network and how the EITE industries in the EU contribute to carbon emissions. To improve the economy and political acceptability, CABM should cover four priority sectors with low economic impacts but a crucial role in reducing emissions, such as plastics, phosphorus fertiliser, aluminum, and copper industry.

Future scenarios of the copper industry. A prospective study of the sector in Peru

Mining has led to multiple social conflicts between communities and companies. However, at the same time, it has been the activity with the greatest contribution to Peru’s gross domestic product for more than a decade, especially copper mining. The importance of copper lies in the fact that it is one of the basic raw materials for the manufacture of products and the expansion of global industries. This research seeks to identify and analyze the possible behavioral scenarios that will support copper mining in the next five years. Foresight (projection of future scenarios), along with the judgment of experts in the field, was used for conducting the research. This methodology employs a non-experimental design and aims at both exploratory and descriptive results. The main findings include an increase in the electricity cost for mining and the continuation of an unfavorable political leadership for its development. It is clear that this issue is taking place in a sensitive context due to the constant social conflicts that occur in favor of the growth of industry. This study will undoubtedly propose solutions to this disparity and will research whether, in any scenario, copper mining and the total population of a copper-rich country can really coexist.

Eco-friendly treatment of copper smelting flue dust for recovering multiple heavy metals with economic and environmental benefits

Handling flue dust in an environmentally friendly manner has become an urgent task for pollution prevention in the copper industry. Here, driven by the low-carbon notion, we report a process that enables the selective retrieval of multiple metals (As, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Bi) from copper smelting flue dust (CSFD). This process employed low-temperature roasting to separate arsenic from heavy metals, thereby eliminating the tedious separation steps required by existing processes. Subsequently, Zn and Cu were dissolved in water, while Pb and Bi were left as a solid residue. We achieved 98.23% extraction of Cu via Zn cementation at a micro-voltage of 0.50 V. Utilizing the difference in solubility, Bi was selectively dissolved from the residue using a NaCl-HCl medium, which enabled the subsequent production of metallic Bi through electrowinning. Finally, more than 99% of Pb in the solid was reduced to elemental Pb by mechanochemical reduction. Through optimized process conditions, high-purity As2O3 (99.04%), lead ingot (99.95%), metallic copper (94.16%), and bismuth (99.20%) were obtained. Our economic assessment revealed significant advantages, demonstrating the industrial feasibility of this process. Consequently, this study presents an effective and cost-efficient system for CSFD disposal while minimizing the environmental impact and fostering a circular economy.