PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING HIGH PURITY COPPER BY DIRECT PRECIPITATION FROM SOLUTIONS WITH COPPER IONS, BY ADDING CITRIC ACID, IRON AND SODIUM BICARBONATE

Claims

The present invention relates to a process for obtaining copper precipitate of greater than 99.9% purity from copper ion solutions, using a method applicable to Pregnant Leach Solutions (PLS) from copper ore leaching. This method can be used on both small and large scales to obtain high-purity copper in a simple and environmentally friendly manner, utilizing renewable energy. The process involves successive steps in treating the copper ion solution: first, the addition of citric acid, then iron in stoichiometrically calculated quantities, and finally, the adjustment of the optimal pH by adding sodium bicarbonate. Following these steps, precipitation is carried out under sunlight or ultraviolet light until high-purity copper is obtained.