12th International Copper Conference
Proceedings of the Extraction 2025 Meeting & Exhibition, Volume I
- 2025
- Book
- Editors
- The Metallurgy and Materials Society of CIM
- The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration
- The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland
About this book
Copper 2025 is the first of three volumes devoted to the Copper 2025 + Ni-Co 2025 + Cross-Cutting Symposia of the Extraction 2025 Meeting & Exhibition joint conference, held November 16–20, 2025, at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. The success of the Copper Conference is thanks to the efforts of eight leading international societies (IIMCh, GDMB, MMIJ, TMS, SME, MetSoc of CIM, NFSOC, and SAIMM), who continue to bring forth symposia of the highest quality on mining, mineral processing, pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, electrometallurgy, process control, and instrumentation. The Extraction 2025 volumes collect important research examining new developments in foundational extractive metallurgy topics and techniques. They also offer new programming designed to share the latest research and insights on emerging technologies and issues that are shaping the global extractive metallurgy industry.
The Extraction 2025 Meeting & Exhibition was jointly organized by The Metallurgy and Materials Society (MetSoc) of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS).
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Table of Contents
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Recycling and Waste Management
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Frontmatter
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Compositional Aspects in Valorization of Iron Silicate Slags
A. Andersson, J. Isaksson, M. Elsadek, E. Lundmark, A. Lennartsson, Å. Roos, F. EngströmThis chapter delves into the valorization of iron silicate slags, a byproduct of copper extraction, as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). The study focuses on the impact of slag composition on milling efficiency and inherent reactivity, with a particular emphasis on the FeO/SiO2 ratio, CaO content, and Al2O3 content. Through the synthesis of a series of iron silicate slags in the FeO-SiO2-CaO-Al2O3-MgO system, the research isolates these compositional effects and subjects the slags to a milling series and the Rapid Reliable Relevant (R3) isothermal calorimetry-based testing protocol. The findings reveal that depolymerization of the slags, achieved by increasing the FeO/SiO2 ratio or CaO concentration, results in slags that are more resilient to milling. Conversely, increasing the concentration of active elements like silicon and aluminum makes the slags easier to mill and more reactive. The study concludes that for iron silicate slags, depolymerization by replacing active elements with less active ones, such as iron, does not improve reactivity as an SCM. The research provides valuable insights into the optimization of slag valorization processes, highlighting the importance of compositional aspects in enhancing the performance of iron silicate slags as SCMs.AI Generated
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AbstractPyrometallurgical copper production is associated with high slag rates, typically ranging from 2.2 to 3.0 tons of slag per ton produced copper. Therefore, slag valorization is necessary to maintain a resource-efficient operation. An attractive application for these iron silicate slags is as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), which effectively lowers the CO2 emissions per ton of cementitious material. Although utilizing iron silicate slags as SCMs has been studied in previous work, the scientific literature has limited data on the isolated effect of composition on the inherent reactivity in cementitious systems. In particular, no reports on compositional aspects related to milling properties and their implication on the performance as SCMs are available. Therefore, the present study aimed to isolate the effects of milling in a synthetic FeO-SiO2-CaO-Al2O3-MgO system. By systematically varying the composition related to FeO/SiO2 ratio, CaO content, and Al2O3 content, a series of slags were subjected to milling studies and subsequent reactivity testing. The data showed a consistent correlation between the depolymerization of the slag and an increased demand for milling to generate the same specific surface area. Consequently, the study highlighted that the proposed slag valorization route encompasses both the isolated contribution of active elements to the cement reaction and the ease of generating surface area during the milling process. -
Considerations for Wastewater Treatment of a Copper Smelter
Claudia M. Wandtke, Lukas PlessingThis chapter delves into the complexities of wastewater treatment in copper smelters, with a particular focus on arsenic fixation and heavy metal removal. The text explores various methods for arsenic fixation, including scorodite formation, ferrihydrite, arsenic sulfide, and calcium arsenite precipitation, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The study also examines the removal of heavy metals such as lead, zinc, cadmium, and mercury, as well as the challenges posed by halogenides, sulfate, and selenium. The chapter provides a detailed analysis of the current wastewater treatment process at Aurubis's Hamburg plant, highlighting the use of sodium hydroxide for neutralization and ferrihydrite for arsenic fixation. It also discusses the potential benefits and drawbacks of alternative methods, such as sulfide precipitation and calcium-based neutralization. The text concludes with a comparison of different flowsheets and their environmental and economic impacts, providing valuable insights for professionals in the field.AI Generated
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AbstractProcessing copper concentrates in a smelter generates wastewater from gas cleaning operations. This so-called weak acid contains a part of the arsenic from the copper concentrates along with sulfate, halogenides, and heavy metals. Effective wastewater treatment in this context necessitates arsenic fixation, heavy metal removal, and, depending on concentrations and regulatory requirements, the binding of sulfate and halogenides. Additionally, selenium contamination must be addressed when present. Aurubis’s wastewater treatment process in Hamburg is very robust and meets stringent regulatory requirements. Since the plant requires a technical makeover in the near future, the process is under review. This study provides an overview of various chemical treatment options, aiming to develop an optimal flow sheet for wastewater management at Aurubis’s plant in Hamburg. The assessment includes a comparison of different combinations of treatment methods, considering factors such as effluent salt load, residue volume, residue consistency, and overall costs. -
Mine Tailings Reprocessing and Repurposing with Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
Jaeheon LeeThis chapter explores innovative methods for repurposing mine tailings, focusing on extracting valuable metals and creating sustainable construction materials. The study examines the processing of copper tailings containing metals like arsenic, silver, cobalt, nickel, and neodymium. Through pyrite flotation, copper and other metals were concentrated, with copper levels increasing by 8.8 times. Bioleaching further extracted metals, achieving 88.4% copper recovery. The tailings were then used to produce geofoam, a lightweight, insulating material with potential as a cement alternative. The process also demonstrated CO2 sequestration, offsetting 700 kg of CO2 per ton of tailings used. This research highlights a low-cost, efficient approach to tailings management, offering both economic and environmental benefits.AI Generated
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AbstractGlobal mining companies are paying a significant amount of money for maintaining and operating tailings storage facilities. The amount of economic and environmental impacts can be innumerable when catastrophic failures happen. Due to the issues on access, stability of dam structures, battery limitations, and potential toxicity, it is difficult to access and reprocess tailings. Copper mine tailings from an active mine were used. Copper content in the tails varied from 0.06% to 0.08% with relatively high sulfide sulfur content mainly from pyrite. The value of copper was extremely low, but the potential for acid mine drainage is high. Other metals with interest in tailings are arsenic, nickel, and cobalt with very low concentrations. Conventional flotation for pyrite was used to produce sulfide concentrates. All metals associated with pyrite and other sulfides were concentrated with 50% sulfide sulfur content. The concentrates were biooxidized with a mixture of mesophilic microorganisms. Metal extraction, particularly base metals such as copper, nickel, and cobalt, were high between 60 and 80%. The cleaner leached residues and flotation tails were combined to produce Geofoam that can be used as thermal insulating material, concrete alternatives, cement clinker replacement, and materials for 3D printing. A pilot scale testwork has been completed successfully and onsite trial with modular units will soon follow. The overall process and economic evaluation of the project will be discussed with metal recovery, fabrication of value-added products, and CO2 sequestration from tailing repurposing process. -
Pyrometallurgical Recovery of Platinum Group Metals from Spent Automotive Catalysts: A Computational Approach
Héléna Verbeeck, Inge Bellemans, Nele MoelansThis chapter delves into the pyrometallurgical recovery of platinum group metals (PGMs) from spent automotive catalysts, focusing on the dissolution behavior of platinum nanoparticles in copper collectors during the smelting process. The study highlights the challenges posed by the sintering effects that encapsulate PGM nanoparticles, complicating their recovery. It employs computational modeling using the phase field method to investigate the dissolution kinetics of platinum nanoparticles under different scenarios. The research identifies key limitations in conventional phase field models, particularly the instability issues arising from high thermodynamic driving forces and the need for accurate input parameters. The study proposes a combined high driving force and stoichiometric phase field approach to overcome these limitations, enabling more accurate simulations under pyrometallurgically relevant conditions. The findings indicate that the encapsulation depth of platinum nanoparticles significantly affects their dissolution time, with partially encapsulated particles dissolving 50% more slowly than non-encapsulated ones. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of advanced phase field models in studying small-scale dissolution phenomena and their potential to optimize the recycling efficiency of PGMs.AI Generated
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AbstractThe recycling of Spent Automotive Catalysts (SAC) is crucial for both ecological and economic reasons, as these catalysts rely on Platinum Group Metal (PGM) nanoparticles (Pt, Pd, Rh) dispersed in a γ-Al2O3 washcoat to reduce air pollution. Pyrometallurgical smelting, the primary recovery method, uses Cu droplets to collect PGMs within a slag formed from the molten SAC and flux. To better understand the small-scale interactions driving PGM collection, this study develops a computational framework using the phase-field method to quantitatively simulate the dissolution of PGM nanoparticles into Cu droplets within a slag environment. The work first addresses key challenges posed by stoichiometric compounds and large thermodynamic driving forces in conventional phase field models. By subsequently implementing an advanced high driving force phase-field model with stoichiometric phases, this new framework expands the applicability of phase-field simulations, offering new insights into PGM dissolution and guiding strategies to enhance recycling efficiency. -
Viscosity, Crystallization, and Inherent Reactivity of Copper Slag in Cementitious Systems: FeO/SiO2 Ratio and CaO Content
Jenny Isaksson, Anton Andersson, Mohamed Elsadek, Anderas Lennartsson, Åke Roos, Fredrik EngströmThis chapter delves into the viscosity, crystallization, and inherent reactivity of copper slag in cementitious systems, focusing on the FeO/SiO2 ratio and CaO content. Four synthetic slag compositions were synthesized and analyzed to understand their behavior under continuous cooling conditions. The study found that increasing the FeO/SiO2 ratio and CaO content depolymerizes the slag structure, affecting its viscosity and crystallization behavior. The inherent reactivity of the slags was assessed using isothermal calorimetry, revealing that higher FeO and CaO content decreased reactivity. The chapter provides a detailed analysis of the crystallization behavior, viscosity, and reactivity of copper slag, offering insights into optimizing slag compositions for sustainable cement production. The results contribute to the global effort to reduce emissions from the cement industry by valorizing copper slag as a supplementary cementitious material.AI Generated
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AbstractThe valorization of copper smelting slag as a supplementary cementitious material (SCMs) improves raw material efficiency in copper smelting and reduces CO2 emissions from the cement industry. A critical factor for SCM performance is the amorphous content, which is influenced by the cooling method, cooling rate, and composition. This study investigated the FeO/SiO2 ratio (1.1 and 1.3 mol%/mol%) and CaO contents (1.3 and 12 mol%) influence on the crystallization, viscosity, and inherent reactivity within the FeO-SiO2-Al2O3-CaO-MgO system. A hot-stage confocal laser scanning microscope was used to examine the crystallization behavior under continuous cooling conditions. In addition, the viscosity regarding crystallization tendencies was measured and evaluated. The findings demonstrated that increasing the FeO/SiO2 ratio and CaO content reduced melt viscosity, promoting faster crystallization and imposing stricter demands on the cooling rate to maintain the amorphous structure in the material. Moreover, reactivity tests on water-granulated samples revealed that a higher FeO/SiO2 ratio and CaO content decreased the reactivity in the evaluated intervals. -
Comparison of the Reactivities of Air- and Water-Granulated Iron Silicate Slag as Supplementary Cementitious Material
Elin Lundmark, Jenny Isaksson, Åke Roos, Andreas Lennartsson, Fredrik Engström, Anton AnderssonThis study delves into the potential of iron silicate slag, a byproduct of copper extraction, as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). By comparing the reactivities of air- and water-granulated slag, the research sheds light on the impact of granulation methods on slag valorization and sustainability. The investigation reveals that water granulation results in a fully amorphous slag, both on industrial and laboratory scales, while air granulation yields a slag with 93% amorphous content. Reactivity tests indicate that air-granulated slag exhibits lower reactivity compared to water-granulated slags, likely due to its reduced amorphous content. However, the study suggests that differences in glass structure and enthalpy may also contribute to the lower reactivity of air-granulated slag. The research highlights the importance of further investigations to fully understand the variances in reactivity and the potential of iron silicate slag as a sustainable SCM in the construction sector. The detailed experimental methodology, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and isothermal calorimetry, provides a comprehensive analysis of the slag's properties and reactivity. The study's findings offer valuable insights for professionals seeking to enhance resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact in the construction industry.AI Generated
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AbstractA potential approach to reduce the environmental impact of copper extraction and concrete production is utilizing iron silicate slag as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) since it enhances resource efficiency and decreases CO2 emissions per ton of cementitious material. To be utilized as an SCM, the slag must have an amorphous structure, which can be achieved by water granulation. However, water granulation is a water-intensive process that requires access to water and water purification, which makes air granulation an interesting alternative cooling method. For iron silicate slags, there is limited knowledge of whether air granulation can generate a slag with amorphous content comparable with water-granulated iron silicate slags and if possible structural variances in the amorphous structure might affect its reactivity and potential use as an SCM. Therefore, this study investigates the amorphous content and reactivity of an industrial iron silicate slag sample subjected to air and water granulation. The slag sample was first water granulated on an industrial scale followed by remelting before water and air granulation at a laboratory scale. The amorphous content of the three samples was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and their reactivities were measured using R3 isothermal calorimeter testing. The XRD results showed that water granulation on both an industrial and laboratory scale generated a fully amorphous slag while the air-granulated slag had a minor formation of crystalline phases. Results from the R3 measurements showed that the water-granulated slags generated more heat after seven days than the air-granulated slag. -
Designing Gas Cleaning Plants for E-Scrap Recycling Furnaces
Miguel González, Alfredo Martínez, Federico MercadoThis chapter delves into the critical aspects of designing gas cleaning plants for e-scrap recycling furnaces, focusing on the treatment of hazardous off-gases generated during thermal and smelting processes. It highlights the importance of proper gas cleaning to minimize environmental pollution and protect human health. The text explores various gas treatment technologies, including dust collection, quenching, gas scrubbing, activated carbon adsorption, and catalytic converters, each playing a crucial role in neutralizing harmful emissions. The chapter also discusses the challenges and considerations in selecting and implementing these technologies, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and maintenance. Additionally, it presents case studies and practical examples of hybrid gas cleaning systems that combine existing equipment with new scrubbers and catalytic converters to handle complex gas emissions from e-waste recycling. The conclusion underscores the necessity of advanced gas treatment technologies for sustainable and safe e-waste recycling, highlighting ongoing adaptations and improvements in the field.AI Generated
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AbstractWhether top-blowing rotary converters, top submerged lance smelters, or other smelting processes are used for converting WEEE (electric and electronic waste, computer scrap) or mixtures of slag from copper smelters with electrowaste and/or computer scrap to recover copper and other precious metals, an off-gas treatment is required to ensure an environmentally clean process. The off-gases from these furnaces differ from the usual gases of primary smelters, as they often contain a very low load of SO2 (thus, a sulfuric acid plant is not an option) but very high loads of hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, and bromine. Further, some processes may carry high mercury loads. For environmental compliance with specific clean gas requirements, multistage gas cleaning trains and advanced materials of construction may become necessary. In this paper, GEA presents different treatments of these off-gases as well as key performance values. Besides the equipment of a typical gas cleaning train for primary copper smelters, which consists of hot electrostatic precipitator, scrubbers, and packed cooling towers followed by wet electrostatic precipitators and often mercury removal technologies, additional equipment for halide removal as well as advanced material concepts to deal with corrosive halides will also be explored. -
Tailings Processing: Opportunities in Chile’s Energy Transition
René Espinoza-SereyThis chapter delves into the critical aspects of tailings management in Chile's mining sector, focusing on water drainage systems and mineral recovery. It evaluates three drainage systems—Liner, BeauDrain, and BeauDrain-S—highlighting their effectiveness in reducing water content and improving dam stability. The economic analysis compares the costs of these systems with desalination, demonstrating the financial viability of water recovery. Additionally, the chapter explores a tailings processing project aimed at recovering copper and molybdenum, detailing the investment requirements and economic indicators. The environmental and economic benefits, including water conservation, resource efficiency, and risk reduction, are thoroughly discussed. The chapter concludes with an implementation strategy, emphasizing the importance of pilot projects, regulatory frameworks, and public-private partnerships. This comprehensive overview provides valuable insights into the technical and economic feasibility of innovative tailings management practices in Chile.AI Generated
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AbstractChile, as one of the world’s leading producers of copper and lithium, plays a crucial role in the clean energy transition. The country possesses vast volumes of accumulated mining tailings containing valuable water resources and metals, including copper, molybdenum, cobalt, and rare earth elements. This extended abstract presents two complementary projects for the utilization of these tailings: (1) water drainage from tailings dams using vertical drainage systems and (2) tailings processing for the recovery of copper and molybdenum concentrates. The innovative drainage approach eliminates the need for constructing new tailings dams after processing, thus avoiding complex permitting processes and community conflicts while enabling potential future uses of processed tailings in construction materials. The results indicate that both projects are technically and economically viable, with the tailings processing plant showing a net present value of $385.2 million (8% rate) and an internal rate of return of 14.2%. These initiatives reinforce operational stability and position Chile as a leader in sustainable mining, promoting circular economy principles and supporting the global energy transition. -
Designing a Custom Metallurgical Flowsheet to Maximize Metal and Energy Recovery from E-waste Materials All the Way to Low Metallic Residues
S. Rassenberg, B. Hanusch, I. Nolet, T. Breuer, A. Mitsui, P. WeberThis chapter delves into the design of custom metallurgical flowsheets to maximize metal and energy recovery from e-waste materials, including low metallic residues. It explores the challenges associated with different types of feed materials, such as fines/sand, fluff, PCB, RAEE/WEEE concentrates, e-granules, and copper scrap, each with varying copper content and heating values. The text highlights the importance of thermodynamic and metallurgical process control to ensure safe post-combustion of high-energy process gas flows and the need for custom-designed off-gas treatment systems. It discusses the integration of both established and new technologies to create individualized flowsheets suitable for input material composition. The chapter also covers the core flowsheet design considerations, including raw materials, material management, metallurgy, and product handling. It emphasizes the significance of energy recovery and off-gas management systems in the overall process. A case study demonstrates the potential revenue streams from processing low metallic residues, showcasing the economic viability of such operations. The conclusion underscores the need for a flexible and holistic approach in plant design and operation to cater to variability in raw materials and changing market conditions.AI Generated
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AbstractSecondary recycling is gaining global attention due to stricter greenhouse gas targets, limited availability of high-grade material, and the drive to conserve copper and associated metals to avoid sending considerable amounts to landfill. Flowsheets in secondary recycling are mainly comprised of raw material preparation and management, metallurgical operation units, off-gas treatment systems, and product streams. This paper discusses process flowsheets and technology offerings across the full production chain suitable to process flexible raw material feeds ranging from high-value e-waste to low metallic content residues that can be integrated into an existing primary and/or secondary smelter or treated as a stand-alone process. Material management and sampling is an imperative component of this flowsheet to ensure a comprehensive mass balance and effective pretreatment prior to processing in metallurgical units. All components of the input material can be processed in a continuous or batch-wise operation with limited primary energy sources, often replaceable to a certain extent with secondary energy sources. The metallurgical process can be selected based on the type of recycled metal-containing material (both pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy) along with specific technology offerings (e.g., top-blown rotary converter, top submerged lance furnace). Off-gases produced can be further treated in post-combustion systems, heat recovery systems, and off-gas management systems. Flexible product streams include steam from a waste heat boiler to be used in local and district plant heating, electricity production, various copper containing products, as well as granulated slag and anode slimes. -
Impact of Cooling Rate on the Mineralogy and Leaching Behaviour of Copper Slag
Jeff Chen, Evgueni JakThis chapter explores the impact of cooling rates on the mineralogy and leaching behaviour of copper slag, a by-product of pyrometallurgical processing. The study compares two slag samples, one granulated (water quenched) and the other slow-cooled, to understand how cooling rates affect their environmental behaviour. The research reveals that despite similar bulk compositions, the slow-cooled slag exhibits significantly higher leachability of several elements, including Na, K, Ca, S, Mo, and Sb. Detailed characterization shows the formation of new phases and the redistribution of elements in the slow-cooled slag. A novel micro-leaching technique was developed to study how mineralogy and phase composition impact leaching behaviour, providing insights into reaction mechanisms and potential improvements in metal recovery. The findings highlight the importance of considering mineralogy and phase composition in predicting the long-term environmental behaviour of slag, aiding in proper disposal and reuse strategies.AI Generated
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AbstractAvoiding and minimizing the leaching of heavy elements from non-ferrous metal slags is a precondition for their effective valorisation, where minimum requirements are regulated by standards and legislation of different local regions. Whilst most laboratory-scale studies on slag leaching have focused on factors such as slag bulk composition and solution pH, limited research has been dedicated to systematically investigating the influence of slag mineralogy and the underlying mechanisms driving leaching behaviour. This study examines the impact of cooling rate on the mineralogical characteristics of copper slag that has been carefully sampled from an industrial slag cleaning process and explores how these characteristics affect the leachability of various elements. Bulk leaching experiments were conducted on slag samples cooled at different rates, followed by detailed analysis of their microstructure, phase composition and elemental distribution. The deportment of key elements, including Cu, Pb, Zn, Mo, As and Sb, was quantitatively determined using advanced microanalytical techniques such as electron microprobe X-ray microanalysis and laser ablation ICP-MS. Additionally, an in situ micro-leaching experiment was developed to assess the stability of individual phases within the slag samples. The results reveal that slow-cooled slag exhibits higher leachability for several elements, including Na, K, Ca, Mo and Sb, when compared to quenched slag. This increased leachability is attributed to the formation of new phases in the slow-cooled slag, which are relatively unstable and more prone to leaching under the experimental conditions. -
Selective Recovery of Cu(II) from Copper Smelting Dust Using Slow-Release Sulfide Precipitation Based on Activity-Controlled Pyrite
Xingfei Zhang, Wei Sun, Haisheng Han, Xianzhong Bu, Sen Wang, Xuewen SongThis chapter delves into the selective recovery of Cu(II) from copper smelting dust using a novel slow-release sulfide precipitation method based on activity-controlled pyrite. The study addresses the limitations of traditional sulfurizing agents, such as Na2S and NaHS, which include low purification efficiency, excessive H2S gas production, and difficulties in filtration. The research introduces a method that involves the multi-scale reconstruction of crystal structure and FeS bonds, combined with iron powder doping, to enhance the preparation of high-activity slow-release sulfide agents. The chapter explores the thermodynamic analysis of pyrite decomposition and co-pyrolysis with reducing iron powder, highlighting the phase transitions and the formation of monoclinic and hexagonal pyrrhotite. It also examines the screening of high-activity crystalline slow-release agents and their effectiveness in copper and arsenic separation. The study compares the H2S release rates and escape behaviors of the prepared slow-release agents with traditional Na2S, demonstrating significant reductions in H2S escape. The chapter concludes with the application of these agents in actual systems, showcasing their efficiency in copper recovery and deep arsenic removal. This innovative approach offers a promising solution for the selective recovery of valuable metals from copper smelting dust, addressing both environmental and economic concerns.AI Generated
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AbstractDuring copper smelting, arsenic accumulates in copper-based solid wastes such as flue dust, which is produced in large quantities and contains both valuable metals and high toxicity. Selective sulfide precipitation is commonly used to recover copper from leaching solutions, but traditional sulfide agents (e.g., Na₂S, NaHS) hydrolyze rapidly in acidic conditions, releasing H₂S abruptly and causing issues like low separation efficiency, high reagent use, and toxicity risks. This study explores iron sulfides as controlled-release sulfide agents. By modifying the structure of pyrite, a reactive and slow-releasing sulfide material was developed, lowering the effective S2⁻ concentration and enabling selective precipitation of valuable metals. In a reducing atmosphere, natural pyrite and iron undergo a phase transformation sequence: pyrite + iron → monoclinic Fe₁₋ₓS → monoclinic + hexagonal Fe₁₋ₓS → hexagonal Fe₁₋ₓS → troilite. XRD and SEM-EDS analyses show that reactivity is influenced by crystal structure and internal morphology. Monoclinic Fe₁₋ₓS extended H₂S release from 3 to 30 min, controlled by diffusion and product layer resistance. A coordinated leaching and slow-release sulfide precipitation method was developed, achieving a copper sulfide product with 40.56% Cu and only 1.87% As, enabling efficient separation and resource recovery from copper smelting dust. -
Optimizing Metal Recovery from Low-Grade TV Waste Printed Circuit Boards: Evaluation of Multi-Stage Physical Separation Processes
Vickho Pramana Putra, Arza Naufal Rasyadi, Kurniawan Kurniawan, Deddy Chandra Nababan, Muhammad Dzikri Ahira, Edy SanwaniThis chapter delves into the optimization of metal recovery from low-grade TV waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) through multi-stage physical separation processes. The study focuses on the effectiveness of magnetic, electrostatic, and gravity separation methods in enhancing the recovery of copper and iron. Initial material preparation involves shredding and sieving, followed by sequential separations. Magnetic separation effectively isolates iron, achieving a high recovery rate, while electrostatic and gravity separation methods significantly improve copper recovery. The study concludes with a detailed analysis of the metal recovery yields and the potential for commercial application. The findings highlight the importance of optimizing separation processes to maximize metal recovery and minimize waste. The chapter also discusses the need for further research to recover copper from intermediate fractions, enhancing overall recovery yields.AI Generated
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AbstractThe physical separation process is the most crucial stage in the recycling of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs). This study proposed a physical separation flow process for recycling low-grade TV WPCBs, with a copper grade of 6.0% − 8.0%. The proposed physical separation flow process includes shredding, comminution, and sieving for material separation, followed by magnetic, electrostatic, and gravity (shaking table) separations as the main final steps. Throughout these sequential procedures, three products are obtained: (i) Cu-rich concentrates, (ii) iron (Fe)-rich concentrates, and (iii) non-metallic fractions (resin, ceramics, and polymers). The results were corroborated with adequate analytical techniques. The established procedures are viable for use in e-waste recycling facilities.
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Backmatter
- Title
- 12th International Copper Conference
- Editors
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The Metallurgy and Materials Society of CIM
The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration
The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society
- Copyright Year
- 2025
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland
- Electronic ISBN
- 978-3-032-00102-3
- Print ISBN
- 978-3-032-00101-6
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-00102-3
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