Patent ID: 7799294
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process comprising: (a) providing a first aqueous leach pulp obtained from an acid consuming agitation leaching process, wherein the first aqueous leach pulp comprises a mixture of leached solids and an aqueous leach solution comprising copper, acid and water; (b) subjecting the first aqueous leach pulp to a first solid-liquid separation to provide a first clarified aqueous leach solution and a second aqueous leach pulp, wherein the second aqueous leach pulp comprises the leached solids at a % solids level greater than the first pulp; (c) subjecting the first clarified aqueous leach solution to a first solvent extraction prior to any significant dilution, whereby a first aqueous raffinate is obtained; (d) subjecting the second aqueous leach pulp to a second solid-liquid separation with significant dilution via an aqueous stream to obtain a second clarified aqueous leach solution; and (e) subjecting the second clarified aqueous leach solution to a second solvent extraction whereby a second aqueous raffinate is obtained.