Selective Solubilization of Gangue from Copper Concentrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
The mining industry faces challenges in producing high-grade ores due to declining ore grades and increasing demand for higher-grade metals like nickel, lithium, and copper, necessitating more efficient and sustainable mining practices.
Innovation Solution
A mixture comprising a copper concentrate and an extraction composition, where the extraction composition is an aqueous solution of a first organic acid, optionally additional organic acids, and optionally inorganic acids, is used to selectively solubilize components such as magnesium, aluminum, silicon, and iron from the copper concentrate, improving ore grade and processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional mining methods are used on declining ore grades, then production targets can be maintained, but processing efficiency decreases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction process by using organic acids (acetic acid, citric acid, gluconic acid, oxalic acid) instead of conventional inorganic acids. This parameter change enables selective solubilization of gangue components at controlled pH levels (2-4), improving processing efficiency while maintaining production targets from declining ore grades
2Productivity
If higher-grade ores are demanded to meet production targets, then production efficiency improves, but sustainable mining practices are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction composition is regenerated in-situ by adjusting pH and precipitating metals, allowing the system to serve itself by reusing the organic acid extractant multiple times. This reduces waste and enables sustainable processing of lower-grade ores without compromising production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers valuable metals from the extraction solution through pH adjustment and precipitation, then regenerates the organic acid extractant for reuse. This recovery and recycling approach enables sustainable mining by allowing extensive processing of lower-grade ores while maintaining efficiency
3Manufacturing precision
If selective solubilization of gangue components is achieved, then ore grade improves, but copper loss may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using organic acids with specific pH ranges (2-4) that create selective chemical environments. Different organic acids target specific gangue components (Mg, Al, Si, F, Fe, Mo) while leaving copper unaffected, achieving ore grade improvement without copper loss through localized chemical selectivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method effectively reduces the concentration of impurities like magnesium, aluminum, and silicon in copper concentrates, enhancing the value of the copper material in downstream processes and improving smelting efficiency, while minimizing copper loss.
Implementation Method 1
The extraction composition is configured to selectively solubilize one or more components include a magnesium (Mg) component, an aluminum (Al) component, a silicon (Si) component, a fluorine (F) component, an iron (Fe) component, a molybdenum (Mo) component
Implementation Method 2
The extraction solution includes an aqueous solution that includes a first organic acid, an optional additional organic acid, and optionally an inorganic acid
Data Source
AI summary
A mixture includes a copper concentrate and an extraction composition. The extraction solution includes an aqueous solution that includes a first organic acid, an optional additional organic acid, and optionally an inorganic acid. The extraction composition is configured to selectively solubilize one or more components include a magnesium (Mg) component, an aluminum (Al) component, a silicon (Si) component, a fluorine (F) component, an iron (Fe) component, a molybdenum (Mo) component, or any combination thereof from the copper concentrate. A method for extracting a metal from copper concentrate. The method includes selectively solubilizing a Mg component, Al component, Fe component, Si component, F component, and/or Mo component including one or more minerals, one or more salts, or any combination thereof from copper concentrate into an extraction composition. The extraction composition includes an aqueous solution of an organic acid, an optional additional organic acid, and an optional inorganic acid.