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Abstract
This paper reviews the progress made to date for processing copper oxide and sulfide ores through the application of Solvent Extraction-Electrowinning (SX-EW) process technology. SX-EW Kchnology is a two step process. First, the metal in the pregnant (leach) solution is extracted using an organic reagent (solvent) and stripped from the solvent in a purified state using concentrated acid. Second, the metal is recovered from the acid solution as high purity cathode copper by electrowinning.
Since the introduction of SX-EW technology in 1968, new generations of extractants with better copper selectivity, faster kinetics, better settling characteristics, and reduced crud formation have been developed by major reagent producers, Design improvements in mixer-settlers and electrovinning cells have also been introduced. Davy McKee’s combined mixer-settler, Krebs conical pump mixer and superimposed launders, high efficiency mixer impellers. MIM’s ISA process stainless suel cathode blanks, and automated stripping machines are examples of the improvements. Low cost pottable plants have also been developed by engineering companies such as Brown & Root and Bechtel. Assembled from low cost materials, this type of plant makes mining of high grade but small reseive deposits economical. This paper discusses these developments and covers operating results and cosis of typical SX-EW plants.
