Proposal of a new process for beneficiation of Kure copper ores

摘要

The objectives of this study were to increase the copper content of flotation concentrates produced in the Kure Copper Concentrator, to recover the remaning Cu together with Co, Au and Ag present in the middlings and pyrite concentrates and to develop a flowsheet according to the experimental results. Copper content of the final concentrate was increased to 26.3percent with the application of column flotation. Middlings and pyrite concentrates, obtained during the flotation, contained considerable amounts of Co, Au and Ag in addition to their high Cu content. Cu and Co were recovered with the application of sulfatizing roasting followed by acidic leaching. Cyanidation process was used to recover Au and Ag remained in the leach cakes. As a result of experiments carried out within the framework of this process, 96percent of Cu, 82percent of Co, 74percent of Au, and 72percent of Ag were recovered at the optimum processing conditions. In the light of this experimental study, a proposed flow sheet was developed for the treatment of Kure copper ores.