Solvent extraction of copper(ii) from concentrated leach liquors

Hydrometallurgical treatment of complex copper sulfidic ores, by-products and concentrates requires aggressive, oxidative leaching methods and application of Fe(III) ions and oxygen or bacteria assisted environment. Leach liquors generated in the process are usually copper and iron-rich solutions of high acidity. Such conditions require the application of suitably strong and selective reagent to extract copper in SX operations. This paper discusses the copper extraction behavior of commercial copper rea-gents: LIX 984N, LIX 612N-LV and Acorga M5640. Aqueous feed solutions used in SX studies were PLS’ generated in atmospheric leaching of commercial flotation concentrate, produced at Lubin Concen-trator (KGHM). McCabe-Thiele diagrams were generated and copper net transfer values were compared and discussed. It was shown that stronger modified aldoxime reagents (Acorga, LIX 612) are superior over non-modified salicylaldoxime/ketoxime mixture (LIX 984N). Particularly, the ester modified Acor-ga M5640 showed advantages in recovery and copper net transfer values.