Abstract
The chemical reactions that occur within a copper-leach recovery system are discussed, and the impact on the overall acid balance is evaluated. Both oxide and sulfide mineralogy are addressed, and their effects on acid consumption, generation and solution buffering are presented. Two case studies that apply the discussed chemistry show the practicality of using a computer spreadsheet acid-balance model for the early planning and design of copper-leach systems.
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SME nonmeeting paper 96-645.
Discussion of this peer-reviewed and approved paper is invited and must be submitted to SME prior to Nov. 30, 1997.
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Templeton, J.H., Schlitt, W.J. Method for determining the sulfuric acid balance in copper-leach systems. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 14, 1–7 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402761
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402761