HYDROMETALLURGICAL PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF TELLURIUM FROM HIGH LEAD BEARING COPPER REFINERY ANODE SLIME

摘要

A hydrometallurgical process is provided for the recovery of tellurium as elemental tellurium powder from copper refinery anode slime containing high amount of lead. The process involves the removal of copper and lead from anode slime followed by the recovery of tellurium as elemental powders. An economical and environment friendly process is provided for producing tellurium from a high lead bearing anode slime as it involves only hydrometallurgical techniques and thereby avoids emission of any polluting gases and has an efficiency of 85 to 90%. The developed process of recovering tellurium as elemental powders from copper refinery anode slime is beneficial in the production of pure tellurium instead of tellurium compounds. It helps raise the profit margin of a non-ferrous metal industry dealing with extraction of copper from ores and treatment of anode slime for the recovery of other metal values.