Patent ID: 6905531

Claim:
A batch process for producing a copper-containing aqueous solution product comprising between 100 and 130 grams of dissolved copper per liter, said process comprising: providing to a batch reactor an initial aqueous leach liquor comprising water, monoethanolamine, and (HMEA) 2 CO 3 , wherein said (HMEA) 2 CO 3 is produced by partially carbonating a composition comprising aqueous monoethanolamine; providing to the batch reactor a copper mass, wherein the molar ratio of copper in the copper mass to total monoethanolamine in the composition is greater than 1 to 3.5; providing to the batch reactor air, oxygen, or mixture thereof; and contacting the leach liquor with the air, oxygen, or mixture thereof and with the copper mass, thereby causing dissolution of a portion of the copper mass and forming the copper-containing aqueous solution product, wherein the temperature of the leach liquor is maintained at a temperature between 25° C. and 100° C., wherein the amount of dissolved copper in the copper-containing aqueous solution product is between 100 grams per liter and 130 grams per liter in 12 hours or less.