Copper ore beneficiation methods and processes

Copper ore beneficiation methods and processes

The beneficiation methods and processes of copper ore are regarded as extracting the copper element from the original ore, refining and processing it. The following are commonly used copper ore beneficiation methods and processes:

1. Rough separation: After the copper ore is crushed and ground, physical beneficiation methods are used for rough separation. Common rough separation methods include gravity separation, flotation, magnetic separation, etc. Through different mineral processing machinery and equipment and mineral processing chemicals, larger particles of copper ore and impurities in the ore are separated.

2. Flotation: During the flotation process, the difference in affinity between the ore and the bubbles in the air is used to attach the bubbles to the copper ore particles to separate the copper ore and impurities. Commonly used chemicals in the flotation process include collectors, foaming agents and regulators.

3. Secondary beneficiation: After flotation, the copper concentrate obtained still contains a certain amount of impurities. In order to improve the purity and grade of copper concentrate, secondary beneficiation is required. Common secondary beneficiation methods include magnetic separation, gravity separation, leaching, etc. Through these methods, impurities in copper concentrate are further removed and the recovery rate and grade of copper ore are improved.

4. Refining and smelting: Copper concentrate is obtained from copper ore after mineral processing, which is further refined and smelted. Common refining methods include fire refining and electrolytic refining. Pyro-refining smelts copper concentrate at high temperatures to remove residual impurities; electrolytic refining uses electrolysis to dissolve the copper in the copper concentrate and deposit it on the cathode to obtain pure copper.

5. Processing and utilization: Common processing methods include casting, rolling, drawing, etc., to make copper into copper products of different shapes and specifications.