THE EVOLVING COPPER-TELLURIUM BYPRODUCT SYSTEM: A REVIEW OF CHANGING PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES THEIR IMPLICATIONS

摘要

In recent years, the future supply of tellurium has been called into question due to the anticipated rapidly increasing demand from thin film cadmium telluride photovoltaics. Since tellurium is produced as a byproduct of other extractive processes - principally, the electrolytic refining of primary copper sulfide ore - it is important to explore the dynamics of the parent metal extraction and processing - in this case copper - when attempting to answer this question. This research explores the changing landscape of global copper production; introducing system diagramming and the concept of byproduct intensity (BPI) to illustrate concerning downward trends in tellurium supply potential. Upon closer inspection, it is concluding that, while a likely contributor to these downward trends, the increased use of non- traditional copper production techniques alone are not responsible; other factors include market substitution and incomplete data reporting. Additionally, a review of literature on tellurium recovery processing reveals a promising outlook for future supplies; highlighting potential for improvements in yield, which allow producers to make better use of what is available, even in the face of suppressed BPI.