Determination of Copper in Organic Media from Solvent Extraction Mining Systems Via Portable Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis

Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis has gained popularity in geochemical and environmental applications as a cost-effective alternative to traditional analytical methods. This study presents a novel method for quantifying organic copper content in solvent extraction circuits by stripping the chelated metal with concentrated sulfuric acid and analyzing the resulting solution using pXRF. The research highlights both the practical aspects of applying pXRF in the mining industry and the unique challenges associated with liquid analysis. Developed specifically for mining operations facing resource constraints, this method offers an efficient field-based alternative to conventional techniques such as flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that the proposed pXRF method delivers consistent and accurate measurements in just minutes, significantly reducing costs while maintaining analytical precision. This advancement in methodology could enhance operational capabilities in regions where traditional laboratory resources are limited.