Dissolution of copper and nickel from nickel-rich anode slimes under oxidized pressure leaching

Udit S. Mohanty, Taina Kalliomäki, Sipi Seisko, Chao Peng, Lotta Rintala, Petteri Halli, Jari Aromaa, Pekka Taskinen, Mari Lundström*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
209 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Anode slimes are valuable by-products in the electrolytic copper refinery process. This study aimed to investigate maximum extraction efficiency of Cu and Ni from slimes originating from the electrorefining of anodes containing high [Ni]. In addition, the extractions of Se, Te, As and Bi were determined. A factorial leaching series was conducted with T = 140–160°C, [H2SO4] = 12–20%, pO2= 2–8 bars and solid/liquid ratio = 200–400 g/L. The highest Ni extraction of 99.7% was obtained with [H2SO4] = 20%, pO2 = 8 bar and T = 160°C while maintaining S/L ratio of 200 g/L. The extraction of copper was found to be within 97–99% in all the leaching experiments. Increasing acidity and decreasing S/L ratio increased the efficiency of Cu extraction. Mineralogical characterizations by SEM-EDX demonstrated the presence of Ag2Se, BaSO4, PbSO4 and several oxide phases in the leach residue.

Original languageEnglish
JournalMineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy: Transactions of the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2019
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • Autoclave
  • copper electrorefining
  • extraction efficiency
  • hydrometallurgy
  • modelling
  • secondary metal sources
  • sulphuric acid leaching
  • valorization

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