Processing of Complex Materials in the Copper Industry: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Gerardo Alvear Flores, Carlos Risopatron, J. D. Pease
Abstract
With the gradual decrease in the grade of copper ores being processed, copper concentrates have become more complex with higher impurity and gangue content. This trend has had a detrimental effect on smelters as they have to increase throughput to maintain copper metal production, while increasing operating costs due to processing the increased amounts of secondary products (slag, acid) and stabilizing waste streams. This paper discusses impacts from the increased complexity of resources from mine to smelters, highlighting the need for an integrated processing approach to achieve sustainable and competitive multi-metal recovery.
Topics & Concepts
SmeltingCopperGangueProduction (economics)Copper miningSlag (welding)Environmental scienceMetallurgyCopper extraction techniquesWaste managementNatural resource economicsMaterials scienceEngineeringEconomicsMacroeconomicsExtraction and Separation ProcessesMetal Extraction and BioleachingRecycling and Waste Management Techniques