Mechanochemistry of copper minerals: New challenges in extractive metallurgy

摘要

Mechanochemistry is a branch of solid state chemistry dealing with the processes which take place within minerals as a result of the application of mechanical energy. It is apparent that extractive metallurgy, whose aim is to produce metals from ores, is a suitable industrial area for the verification of the theoretical basis of mechanochemistry. The application of mechanochemistry to extractive metallurgy and materials science is illustrated in this paper with selected examples involving copper sulfide concentrates and minerals. It is demonstrated that mechanochemical treatment of these materials leads to increased reaction rate, improved leaching selectivity and offers a novel way to prepare advanced materials.