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Recovering gold from copper concentrate via the HydroCopper™ process

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  • Gold Process Mineralogy II
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Abstract

HydroCopper™ technology comprises a chloride-leaching method for copper sulfide concentrates and copper production up to semi-products. As compared with the commonly used sulfate solutions, brine solutions offer aggressiveness and stability of the copper(I) ion and, consequently, a lower energy consumption in leaching. Copper(II) ions and oxygen are used as oxidants. Iron reports to the leaching residue as oxide and sulfur as elemental sulfur. Gold is dissolved and recovered in the third stage of the counter-current leaching when the redox potential reaches higher levels.

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References

  1. C. Hoepfner, “Electrolytic Production of Metals,” U.S. patent 507,130 (1893).

  2. D.S. Flett, “Chloride Hydrometallurgy for Complex Sulphides: A Review” (Paper presented at the International Conference on the Practice and Theory of Chloride/Metal Interaction, Montreal, Canada, 19–23 October 2002).

  3. O. Hyvärinen and M. Hämäläinen, “Method for Producing Copper in Hydrometallurgical Process,” U.S. patent 6,007,600 (28 December 1999).

  4. O. Hyvärinen, M. Hämäläinen, and R. Leimala, “Outokumpu HydroCopper™ Process, A Novel Concept in Copper Production” (Paper presented at the International Conference on the Practice and Theory of Chloride/Metal Interaction, Montreal, Canada, 19–23 October 2002).

  5. K. Hietala and O. Hyvärinen, “HydroCopper™—A New Technology for Copper Production” (Paper presented at the Alta 2003 Copper Conference, Perth, Australia, 22–23 May 2003).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Outokumpu Research Oy, Pori, Finland

    Olli Hyvärinen (senior technology manager), Matti Hämäläinen (senior technology advisor), Pertti Lamberg (senior research metallurgist) & Jussi Liipo (senior research metallurgist)

Authors
  1. Olli Hyvärinen
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  2. Matti Hämäläinen
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  3. Pertti Lamberg
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  4. Jussi Liipo
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Additional information

For more information, contact Olli Hyvärinen, Outokumpu Research Oy, Kuparitie 10, P.O. Box 60, FIN-28101; +358-2-626 5020; fax: +358-2-626 5310; e-mail olli.hyvarinen@outokumpu.com.

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Hyvärinen, O., Hämäläinen, M., Lamberg, P. et al. Recovering gold from copper concentrate via the HydroCopper™ process. JOM 56, 57–59 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-004-0184-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-004-0184-5

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