Abstract
The Cuprex™ metal extraction process produces cathode-grade copper using a hydrometallurgical process based on chloride leaching of sulfide ore concentrates. The process incorporates several novel steps to overcome the major problems associated with earlier chloride-based processes, including mild leaching conditions using ferric chloride as leachant and solvent extraction of copper usinga novel reagent. This produces a highly concentrated cupric chloride electrolyte from which cathode-grade copper is electrowon in the Metclor cell. The technical viability and robustness of the core technology have been proven in a series of large-scale pilot trials. More recent work has concentrated on supplementary processes to convert the copper powder product to an article of commerce and to recover valuable by-products. A fully integrated scheme is now being developed with updated cost estimates.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.References
D.C. McLean, “Chloride Leaching of Copper Concentrates, PracticalOperational Aspects,” presented at the AIME Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX (February 14–18, 1982).
E. Peters, “Application of Chloride Metallurgy to Treatment of Sulphide Minerals,” Chloride Metallurgy (Brussels: Benelux Metallurgie, 1977), p. 1.
K.J. Edmiston, “An Update on Chloride Hydrometallurgical Processes for Sulphide Concentrates,” SME Technical Paper 84-114 (Golden, CO: SME, 1984).
D.S. Flett, J. Melling and R. Derry, “Chloride Metallurgy for the Treatment of Complex Sulphide Ores,” report LR461 (ME), (Stevenage, U.K.: Warren Spring Laboratory, 1983).
A.W. Fletcher, “Future Potential for Chloride Metallurgy,” paper presented at SME Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (March 3–5, 1986).
R. Price, P.M. Quan and B. Townson, “Novel Solvent Extractants for Copper from Chloride Media-Their Application in the Processing of Complex Base Metal Concentrates,” presented at the joint EEC-Canada Seminar on the Treatment of Complex Minerals, Ottawa, Canada (October 12–14, 1982).
R.F. Dalton et al., “Novel Solvent Extractants for Recovery of Copper from Chloride Leach Solutions Derived from Sulphide Ores,” Reagents in the Minerals Industry (London: IMM, 1984), p. 181.
R.F. Dalton et al, “The CUPREX Process -A New Chloride Based Hydrometallurgical Process for the Recovery of Copper from Sulphidic Ores,” Separation Proc. in Hydrometall., ed. G.A. Davies (London: Ellis Horwood, 1987), pp. 466–476.
G.M. Ritcey, B.H. Lucas and K.T. Price, “Evaluation and Selection of Extractants for the Separation of Copper and Zinc from Chloride Leach Liquor,” Hydrometallurgy (1982), p. 197.
G.M. Ritcey, B.H. Lucas and K.T. Price, “Extraction of Copper and Zinc from Chloride Leach Liquors Resulting from Chlorination Roast Leach of Fine-Grained Sulphides,” Proc. ISEC’80, vol. 3, (Liège, Belgium: Association des Ingénieurs Sortis de 1’Université de Liège, 1980), paper 80-71.
J.M. Demarthe, L. Gandon and A. Georgeaux, “A New Hydrometallurgical Process for Copper,” Extractive Metallurgy of Copper, ed. J.C. Yannopoulus and J.C. Agarwal (Warrendale, PA: TMS, 1976), p. 825.
J.M. Demarthe, A. Sonntag and A. Georgeaux, U.S. Patent no. 4,023,964 (1977).
N.E. Meadows and M. Valenti, “The BHAS Copper Lead Matte Treatment Plant,” Proc. Non Ferrous Smelting Symposium (Victoria, Australia: AusIMM, 1989), p. 153.
J.H. McNamara et al., “A Hydrometallurgical Process for Copper,” paper presented at the AIME Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (February 26–March 2, 1978).
W.C. Hazen, for Cyprus Metallurgical Process Corporation, USA. Canadian Patents nos. 1,012,089 (1977) and 1,028,651 (1978).
F.W. Schweitzer and R. Livingstone, “Duval’s CLEAR Hydrometallurgical Process,” paper presented at the RIME Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX (February 14–18, 1982).
G.E. Atwood and C.H. Curtis for Duval Corporation, U.S. Patents nos. 3,785,944 (1974) and 3,879,272 (1975).
T.A. Phillips, “Economic Evaluation of a Process for Ferric Chloride Leaching of Chalcopyrite Concentrate,” RI 7474 (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1971).
F.P. Haver, R.D. Baker and M.M. Wong, “Improvements in Ferric Chloride Leaching of Chalcopyrite Concentrates,” RI 8007 (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1975).
P.K. Everett, “The DEXTEC Copper Process,” Extraction Metallurgy ’81 (London, U.K: IMM, 1981), p. 149.
E. Anderson et al., “Production of Base Metals from Complex Sulphide Concentrates by the Ferric Chloride Route in a Small Continuous PilotPlant,” Complex Sulphide Ores, ed. M.J. Jones (London, U.K.: IMM, 1980), pp. 186–192.
R.F. Dalton, R. Price and P.M. Quan, “Novel Solvent Extractants for Chloride Leach Systems,” Proc. Int. Solvent Extraction Conference, ISEC’83, Denver, CO (1983), p. 189.
E.D. Nogueira, “Recent Advances in the Development of Hydrometallurgical Processes for the Treatment of Base Metal Sulphides,” Int. Conf. on Mineral Science Technology (South Africa: MINTEK, 1984).
E. Hermana Tezanos, U.S. Patent no. 4,776,941 (1988).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dalton, R.F., Diaz, G., Price, R. et al. The cuprex metal extraction process: Recovering copper from sulfide ores. JOM 43, 51–56 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03221105
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03221105