Processing of copper slag using waste tires

We propose a new approach to process of recycling the slag of copper production with the use of waste tires as a source of reducing agents. In the traditional methods used for processing of copper slags, it is customary to use various types of reducing agents. However, the abundant presence of reducing agents in old automobile tires offers a promising alternative. Converter slags of the “Almalyk MMC” JSC were subjected to experimental treatment by using waste automobile tires as a reducing agent. The chemical and mineralogical analyses revealed a significant decrease in the magnetite content. Moreover, the process of recycling of waste automobile tires leads to the formation of carbon, hydrogen and sulfur (as effective reducing agents) as a result of the decomposition of rubber and hydrocarbons at high temperatures. The thermodynamic analysis confirms that carbothermal reactions are efficient at certain temperatures and the optimal consumption of worn tires is determined on a level of 1.8% of the total weight of slag. This optimized approach not only reduces the content of magnetite but also decreases the total mass of slag, thus revealing the possibility of realization and stability of application of the worn (waste) car tires for improving the efficiency of extraction of copper in the course of reprocessing of the copper-production slag. The accumulated results reveal the prospects of this innovative approach for decreasing the losses of copper and realization of a more environmentally friendly process of copper production.