Characterization of copper slag for beneficiation of iron and copper (original) (raw)
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The depletion of the ore reserves in the world necessitates the search for secondary sources such as waste products (tailings and slag). A smelter in Namibia has historic slag which accumulated over decades of its operating life. Analytical and mineralogical characterization of the slag was performed using the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS), ICP-OES, scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis, and optical microscopy analysis. The chemical analyses showed that the metal values contained in the slag were mainly copper, lead, and zinc whose average contents were approximately 0.3%Cu, 2.4%Pb and 3.2%Zn. About 10.5%Fe was also contained in the slag. Germanium was detected by scanning electron microscopy, but was however below detection limits of the chemical analysis equipment used. Based on the results, approximate conditions under which the different slag phases were formed were estimated and the recovery rout...
Waste Management and Treatment of Copper Slag BCL, Selebi Phikwe Botswana: Review
Procedia Manufacturing, 2019
The production of copper bears both viable product and by product know as slag which is a challenge to dispose and poses a problem to the environment. BCL holds copper slag is seen as waste which is ironopulent containing heavy metals which can seep into ground water and affect environment. These metal accumulate in millions of tonnes year after year posing as a threat to the environment and need to be managed to avoid them being harmful. This paper explores metallurgical ways of treating the slag and utilizing it in different ways. Extracting metals such as iron is one way of managing the slag, as previous research and present indicate that iron can be recovered from copper slag. This will help manage the waste slag and rehabilitate land sustainably. The copper slag can also be used in cement and concrete production and provides potential environmental and economic benefits for all parties involved. The BCL dump will be regarded as raw material rather than waste hence igniting management and treatment of waste to sustainability.
Copper slags are usually considered a waste and characterized only by the final copper content. Large and increasing quantities are being produced and disposed of by stockpiling near the metallurgical plants. This paper stresses the importance of physico-chemical characterization when considering uses for slags and the possibility of recovering the valuable metals still remaining in this phase. The purpose of this work is to support and encourage a change in the classical perception of slag from a 'waste' to a 'resource'; promote the development of new technologies for treatment to recover residual values and encourage a search for new uses; with the ultimate objective of eliminating slag stockpiles thereby diminishing the environmental impact of smelting operations. Some of the results of experimental laboratory work done by the authors and examples of commercial applications will be shown. A promising future for valorization and utilization of slags is expected and will provide an example when considering the use of all the other large quantities of wastes generated by the mining industry.
Characterization of copper smelter slag and recovery of residual metals from these residues
Revista Facultad de Ingeniería, 2017
The pyrometallurgical copper extraction process generates 2.2 t of residues for each ton of produced metal. Initially, this paper shows the physical and chemical characterization of a copper processing residue, followed by the procedure to obtain the gold and silver that are contained in the copper residue. The characterization of a white metal oxidized calcine indicates a high content of copper as cupric ferrite, and important values of gold and silver. Gold and silver concentrations were 38.5 g t-1 and 1085 g t-1, respectively. The gold was found scattered in cupric ferrite grains, while the silver was dissolved in a matrix of Cu-S in amounts between 1 % and 50 %. Cyanidation tests showed that 95 % gold recovery could be obtained with a concentration of 0.06 g l-1 KCN, a pH of 10.5, room temperature, and a residence time of 80 h. When the temperature was increased to 75 °C, and the other cyanidation parameters were maintained intact, the same recovery was obtained but with a short...
Environmental and Socioeconomic Impact of Copper Slag—A Review
Crystals, 2021
Copper slag is generated when copper and nickel ores are recovered from their parent ores using a pyrometallurgical process, and these ores usually contain other elements which include iron, cobalt, silica, and alumina. Slag is a major problem in the metallurgical industries as it is dumped into heaps which have accumulated into millions of tons over the years. Moreover, they pose a danger to the environment as they occupy vacant land (space problems). Over the past few years, studies have been conducted to investigate the copper slag-producing outlets to learn their behavior, as well as properties of slag, to have the knowledge of how to better reuse and recycle copper slag. This review article provides the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of slag, as well as a characterization of copper slag, with the aim of reusing and recycling the slag to benefit the environment and economy. Recycling methods are considered an attractive technological pathway for reducing waste and green...
Recovery of iron from copper slag
Archives of Metallurgy and Materials, 2018
Copper slag is a by-product obtained during smelting and refining of copper. Copper smelting slag typically contains about 1 wt.% copper and 40 wt.% iron depending upon the initial ore quality and the furnace type. Main components of copper slag are iron oxide and silica. These exist in copper slag mainly in the form of fayalite (2FeO ·SiO 2). This study was intended to recover pig iron from the copper smelting slag by reduction smelting method. At the reaction temperature of below 1400°С the whole copper smelting slag was not smelted, and some agglomerated, showing a mass in a sponge form. The recovery behavior of pig iron from copper smelting slag increases with increasing smelting temperature and duration. The recovery rate of pig iron varied greatly depending on the reaction temperature.
Characterisation of copper slag in view of metal recovery
Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, 2015
In this study, a fayalitic copper slag was characterised. Copper is present as sulfidic droplets. The content and particle size distribution of the major sulfide phases (bornite, chalcopyrite and chalcocite/digenite) were quantified using analytical scanning electron microscopy (QEMSCAN). Large copper bearing particles (> 100 µm) are composed mainly of bornite and chalcocite/digenite and tend to accumulate in the lower part of the slag layer. As characterised with X-ray computed tomography (CT), around 70% of copper value is present in these large copper bearing particles.
Metal potential in copper smelting slags from Polkowice tailings dump - Preliminary studies
Gospodarka Surowcami Mineralnymi-mineral Resources Management, 2021
A closed-loop economy is a technological and civilization challenge for the contemporary world. the scale of anthropogenic mineral substances accumulated throughout centuries creates, on the one hand, environmental and urbanization threats and, on the other hand, reveals opportunities and possibilities of utilizing useful elements contained therein (Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Rare earth elements-Ree and others). the current stream of waste from the mineral sector is constantly growing and expanding the base of secondary deposits (lottermoser 2010). According to forecasts, total global mineral consumption could rise to 190 billion tons
Recovery of Copper and Cobalt from Copper Slags as Selective
Journal of environmental science & engineering, 2017
This study focuses on the recovery of copper and cobalt from copper slags obtained from Kure district of Kastamonu city, which is in the north of Turkey, and removal of Se, Te, Sb and As from mixture of copper slag and copper concentrate has been conducted. Homogeneous mixtures of slag/pyrite/copper concentrate rate were subjected to roasting at high temperatures in a closed medium and then it was processed roasting at air atmosphere at 600 °C. In the leaching experiments, the effects of roasting time, rate of slag/pyrite/copper concentrate and the effect of the added iron powder to leaching on the metals dissolution were investigated. Under optimum conditions, 99.6% of copper and 98.4% of cobalt were extracted in roasting at high temperatures in a closed medium 3:6:6 of slag/pyrite/copper concentrate rate then roasting at 600 °C at 5 hours. Besides, it was determined that all of Se, Te, Sb and As can be removed from the mixture of slag/pyrite/copper concentrate rate.
Copper Metallurgical Slags – Current Knowledge And Fate: A Review
Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 2015
Cu-slags are a by-product of pyrometallurgical processing and contain elevated concentrations of metallic elements that may be released during weathering. Hence, they may pose environmental risk and thus need to be properly disposed off. On the other hand, the high residual content of metals makes slags interesting as secondary resources for metal recovery. This review presents current knowledge about the chemical and phase composition of Cu-metallurgical slags and discusses environmental issues related to their disposal. Furthermore, it provides an overview of experimental approaches assessing environmental risk as well as recent achievements regarding the leaching and recovery of valuable metals from Cu-slags.