Patent ID: 6503293
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for the extraction of copper from a copper sulphide containing concentrate also containing iron values, which comprises:(a) dispersing finely divided copper sulphide containing concentrate having a P80 of from 5 micron to 20 micron inclusive in an aqueous sulphuric acid solution to form a slurry, the sulphuric acid being provided in an amount determined by the target copper, iron and acid concentration desired in the final leach solution; (b) providing an effective amount of a suitable surfactant to disperse sulfur present in the slurry; (c) reacting, with agitation, the slurry and surfactant with free oxygen bearing gas at an oxygen overpressure of from 100 kPa to 3000 kPa inclusive, in a pressure vessel at a temperature of from 130Â° C. to 160Â° C. inclusive, to extract the copper values from the concentrate to produce the final leach solution containing the dissolved copper values and a solid residue; and (d) separating the final leach solution containing the dissolved copper values from the solid residue so as to achieve a copper extraction of from 91.02% to 99.1%, wherein the effective amount of the surfactant is effective to achieve the copper extraction.