Abstract
This paper presents the results of a study on the feasibility of the integrated, selective processing of sulfate-rich process waterscontaining high concentrations of copper and iron ions—using hydrometallurgical methods. It also examines the natural and anthropogenic factors influencing the formation of such waters at mining sites within the copper-pyrite complex. This paper examines the primary methods for the selective recovery of copper from sulfate solutions with a pH of less than 2.5. It presents findings regarding the technical aspects of selectively separating copper and iron during the processing of acidic drainage waters from copper-pyrite mining operations. Based on the experimental results, the study substantiates the feasibility of producing metal-bearing products suitable for further processing at metallurgical facilities. To extract copper, given the specific matrix composition of the water bodies under study, the most suitable approach is the hydrometallurgical method of cementation (using an iron substrate). Experimental studies of the cementation process were conducted using a laboratory cementation unit charged with iron filings. Iron was selected as the cementation agent due to its strong reducing properties (relative to copper). This hydrometallurgical process yielded a marketable copper-bearing product (βCu = 66.5%) that can be classified as a Grade I copper concentrate. This product is suitable for applications in electrical engineering (as a semiconductor material) and in the metallurgical industry for pipe manufacturing. The paper presents the results of experimental studies on the recovery of iron in the form of mar-ketable-grade feedstock with a pure iron content exceeding 52%. The resulting product is suitable for the manufacture of sinter and briquettes for blast furnace smelting, as well as for melting in induction furnaces to produce foundry pig iron. All process solutions were developed with due regard for environmental safety requirements, techno-economic ef-ficiency, and product purity
Keywords:
hydrotechnogenic raw materials, sulfate solutions, metals, copper, iron, hydrometallurgy, cementation, precipitation