US3957602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Recovery of copper from chalcopyrite utilizing copper sulfate leach
Assignee: Cyprus Mines Corp
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Filing: 1974-07-24
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Granted: 1976-05-18
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Expires: 1994-07-24
Abstract
Abstract Copper is recovered from chalcopyrite by means of a pollution-free hydrometallurgical process which entails leaching and converting the chalcopyrite with copper sulfate in order to produce an insoluble copper sulfide, a soluble iron sulfate and sulfuric acid. A secondary leach is then conducted in order to react the copper sulfide with oxygen in the presence of a jarosite-forming cation to produce a soluble copper sulfate and an insoluble iron bearing jarosite. This copper sulfate is separated from the jarosite and sent to a copper recovery process and/or recycled. Alternatively, the copper sulfide from the initial leach may be separated from the iron sulfate solution immediately after the initial leach, and this copper sulfide can be treated with other processes to produce elemental copper and sulfur.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert K. Johnson
- 👤 Enzo L. Coltrinari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:12
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B15/00; C22B15/0063; C22B15/0084; C22B15/0089; C22B15/0093; C22B15/0065; C22B15/0067; C22B15/0071; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A process for hydrometallurgically recovering elemental copper from chalcopyrite comprising: reacting the chalcopyrite with a copper sulfate solution at a temperature and mole ratio sufficient to form an insoluble copper sulfide consisting essentially of digenite, a soluble iron sulfate and sulfuric acid; separating the copper sulfide from the iron sulfate; and recovering the elemental copper from the copper sulfide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
A process for hydrometallurgically recovering elemental copper from chalcopyrite comprising: reacting the chalcopyrite with a copper sulfate solution at a temperature and mole ratio sufficient to form an insoluble copper sulfide consisting essentially of digenite, a soluble iron sulfate and sulfuric acid; separating the copper sulfide from the iron sulfate; and recovering the elemental copper from the copper sulfide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the concentration of the copper sulfate solution is from about 30 to about 100 grams per liter of copper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the chalcopyrite reaction is conducted from about 180°C to about 200°C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the mole ratio of copper sulfate to chalcopyrite reactants is at least about two to one.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the temperature of the copper sulfate reaction is maintained from about 180°C to about 200°C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
108 words
A process for hydrometallurgically recovering copper from chalcopyrite comprising: initially leaching the chalcopyrite with a copper sulfate solution at a temperature and mole ratio sufficient to form insoluble digenite, minor amounts of other insoluble copper sulfides and a soluble iron sulfate; separating the insoluble copper sulfides from the soluble iron sulfate; secondarily leaching the copper sulfides with oxygen in an acid medium and in the presence of a jarosite forming cation to form a soluble copper sulfate solution and an insoluble jarosite; and recovering a portion of the copper from the copper sulfate solution and recycling the remainder of the copper sulfate solution to the initial leach reaction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
A process for hydrometallurgically recovering copper from chalcopyrite comprising: initially leaching the chalcopyrite with a copper sulfate solution at a temperature and mole ratio sufficient to form insoluble digenite, minor amounts of other insoluble copper sulfides and a soluble iron sulfate; separating the insoluble copper sulfides from the soluble iron sulfate; secondarily leaching the copper sulfides with oxygen in an acid medium and in the presence of a jarosite forming cation to form a soluble copper sulfate solution and an insoluble jarosite; and recovering a portion of the copper from the copper sulfate solution and recycling the remainder of the copper sulfate solution to the initial leach reaction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the mole ratio of copper sulfate to chalcopyrite reactants is at least about two to one.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the temperature of the copper sulfate reaction is maintained from about 180°C to 200°C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
A process for hydrometallurgically recovering copper from chalcopyrite comprising: leaching and converting the chalcopyrite with a copper sulfate solution at a temperature and mole ratio sufficient to concurrently form a mixture of an insoluble copper sulfide consisting essentially of digenite, a soluble iron sulfate and sulfuric acid; subjecting said concurrently formed mixture to a secondary treatment including leaching with oxygen and addition of a jarosite-forming cation, to produce from said concurrently formed mixture a soluble copper sulfate solution and an insoluble jarosite; separating the soluble copper sulfate solution from the insoluble jarosite; and recovering elemental copper from the copper sulfate solution.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
A process for hydrometallurgically recovering copper from chalcopyrite comprising: leaching and converting the chalcopyrite with a copper sulfate solution at a temperature and mole ratio sufficient to concurrently form a mixture of an insoluble copper sulfide consisting essentially of digenite, a soluble iron sulfate and sulfuric acid; subjecting said concurrently formed mixture to a secondary treatment including leaching with oxygen and addition of a jarosite-forming cation, to produce from said concurrently formed mixture a soluble copper sulfate solution and an insoluble jarosite; separating the soluble copper sulfate solution from the insoluble jarosite; and recovering elemental copper from the copper sulfate solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 9 wherein a portion of the copper sulfate solution produced from the secondary leaching operation is recycled to treat fresh chalcopyrite feed material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the leaching of the chalcopyrite with copper sulfate is performed at a temperature of from about 180°C to about 200°C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 9 wherein elemental copper is recovered by means of electrolysis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the jarosite-forming cation is sodium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the jarosite-forming cation is potassium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the jarosite-forming cation is an ammonium ion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the chalcopyrite initially treated with the copper sulfate solution is in the presence of other mixed sulfides.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the mole ratio of copper sulfate to chalcopyrite reactants is at least about two to one.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the temperature of the copper sulfate reaction is maintained from about 180°C to 200°C.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
96 words
A process for hydrometallurgically recovering elemental copper from chalcopyrite comprising: reacting the chalcopyrite with a copper sulfate solution at a temperature and mole ratio sufficient to form an insoluble copper sulfide consisting essentially of digenite, a soluble iron sulfate and sulfuric acid; separating the copper sulfide from the iron sulfate; leaching the separated copper sulfide with a chloride selected from the group consisting of ferric chloride and cupric chloride in order to produce a solution comprising cuprous chloride, cupric chloride and ferrous chloride; and reducing at least a portion of the cuprous chloride to elemental copper.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
96 words
A process for hydrometallurgically recovering elemental copper from chalcopyrite comprising: reacting the chalcopyrite with a copper sulfate solution at a temperature and mole ratio sufficient to form an insoluble copper sulfide consisting essentially of digenite, a soluble iron sulfate and sulfuric acid; separating the copper sulfide from the iron sulfate; leaching the separated copper sulfide with a chloride selected from the group consisting of ferric chloride and cupric chloride in order to produce a solution comprising cuprous chloride, cupric chloride and ferrous chloride; and reducing at least a portion of the cuprous chloride to elemental copper.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 19 wherein the chalcopyrite reaction is conducted from about 180°C to about 200°C.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 20 wherein the mole ratio of copper sulfate to chalcopyrite reactants is at least about two to one.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 19 wherein the solution comprising cuprous chloride, cupric chloride and ferrous chloride is subjected to electrolysis to produce elemental copper.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
67 words
A process for hydrometallurgically recovering elemental copper from chalcopyrite comprising: reacting the chalcopyrite with copper sulfate solution at a temperature and mole ratio sufficient to form an insoluble copper sulfide consisting essentially of digenite, a soluble iron sulfate and sulfuric acid; separating the copper sulfide form the iron sulfate; leaching the separated copper sulfide with an ammoniacal leach solution; and recovering copper from the ammoniacal leached solution.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
67 words
A process for hydrometallurgically recovering elemental copper from chalcopyrite comprising: reacting the chalcopyrite with copper sulfate solution at a temperature and mole ratio sufficient to form an insoluble copper sulfide consisting essentially of digenite, a soluble iron sulfate and sulfuric acid; separating the copper sulfide form the iron sulfate; leaching the separated copper sulfide with an ammoniacal leach solution; and recovering copper from the ammoniacal leached solution.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 23 wherein the chalcopyrite reaction is conducted from about 180°C to about 200°C.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 24 wherein the mole ratio of copper sulfate to chalcopyrite reactants is at least about two to one.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-05-18 | 1979-11-17 | 1980-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-18 | 1983-11-17 | 1984-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-18 | 1987-11-17 | 1988-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |