New Selective Ion Exchange Resins for Copper and Nickel

. In this study, two new ion exchange resins have been developed to selectively absorb copper and nickel from dilute sulfuric acid solutions with a pH between 1 and 3, while favoring their absorption over ferric iron. The first resin selectively absorbs copper without nickel and can be easily eluted using a 1-2N sulfuric acid solution, making it particularly suitable for processing copper leach liquors, including those derived from dump leaching. The second resin, on the other hand, is capable of absorbing both nickel and copper in the same pH range; however, it only allows elution of nickel with 1-2N sulfuric acid, requiring a much stronger acid for copper elution. Notably, both metals can be readily eluted using dilute ammonium hydroxide. This second resin shows promise for treating acidic nickel leach solutions from laterites and other non-sulfide ores and holds potential for enhancing the treatment of copper-bearing solutions. The development of these resins addresses the need for more efficient techniques in the processing of low-grade copper ores.