Mining in focus
that it is possible to make a profit from
mining copper oxides, even though they
require additional ore extraction and
processing.
The hydrometallurgy method of
processing copper oxide relies on
using water-based solutions to extract
and purify copper oxides at ordinary
temperatures. Three steps are involved
in this process: heap leaching, solvent
extraction, and electrowinning.
On the other hand, copper sulphide
ores are less abundant; however, they
contain higher amounts of copper. The
disadvantage that comes with mining
sulphide ores is that the processing
costs are very high. Sulphide ores are
worth mining in the end because more
copper can be extracted from the ores.
For sulphide ores, pyrometallurgy
processing is used where the metals
are extracted and purified using heat
applications. Physical steps and high
temperatures are required to purify
the copper from sulphide ores. This
process requires four steps, namely
Copper processing at Zambia’s
Kansanshi copper mine.
froth flotation, thickening, smelting,
and electrolysis.
Another unconventional method
of processing copper is recycling. The
World Copper Factbook 2017 mentions
that copper is one of the few materials
that do not degrade or lose their
physical properties during the recycling
process. In 2015, the ICSG estimated
that up to 29% of used copper came
through recycled copper. New and old
copper scrap or copper alloys can be
melted, re-purified, and recycled into
new components.
The United States Geological
Survey estimates that there are about
720 million tonnes of identified and
unidentified copper resources. This can
only mean more innovation in copper
mining, and processing can be expected
in going forward in the copper mining
industry. b
N
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V
A
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ONE OF THE BIGGEST SUPPLIERS
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Davron Equipment, 128 & 130 Loper Street, Aeroport, Gauteng
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MINING MIRROR
SEPTEMBER
2018
Email:
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• Website: www.davron.co.za