About this Abstract |
Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
Symposium
|
Advances in Recycling and Environmental Technologies
|
Presentation Title |
Decopperisation of Copper Anode Slimes by Hot Leaching |
Author(s) |
Chinyanta Chinyanta, Yotamu Hara, Rockdrick Mulenga Lamya, Leonard Mulenga Kabondo |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Chinyanta Chinyanta |
Abstract Scope |
Copper anode slimes from electrolytic refining contain more than 60 % copper alongside precious and other base metals. Decopperisation is a vital first step in their treatment, aiming to selectively dissolve copper while retaining valuable constituents. This study explores the use of hot acid leaching with sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide on slimes from Copperbelt Province of Zambia.
Leaching tests at varying pulp densities (25%, 30%, and 35%) showed that lower solids content improved copper recovery, with 25% yielding the highest extraction. Kinetic modeling using the shrinking core model provided insight into the leaching mechanism. Mass balances were also conducted to determine copper and arsenic partitioning between leach residue and solution.
The results support optimized hot leaching as an effective method for copper removal, enhancing the efficiency of subsequent precious metal recovery processes. |
Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |