copper sulphide flotation concentrate electroleaching process

摘要

CONCENTRATE ELECTROLIXIVATION PROCESS OF COPPER SULPHET FLOTATION. This invention provides a low cost operating and economical electroleaching process for the treatment of high chalcopyrite copper sulphide flotation concentrates. The object of the invention is to improve chalcopyrite copper extraction over conventional leaching processes by performing electroleaching in relatively short time and in high yield. For this, the electroleaching is performed using an electroleaching reagent (NaCl 2 mol L ^ -1 ^) containing or not the CTAB cationic surfactant. Electroleaching is performed in an electrochemical cell containing a DSA ^ TM ^ anode and two nickel or copper cathodes (sponge cathode type). Chloride lions are oxidized to chlorine gas at the anode. Chlorine, in contact with the aqueous phase, generates sufficient hypochlorite ions to oxidize chalcopyrite. The generated Cu ^ 2 + ^ lions are reduced in the cathode producing high purity metallic copper.