HYDROMETALLURGICAL STRATEGIES FOR HIGHER IMPURITIES IN COPPER REFINING

As the availability of clean and easily treatable copper concentrates diminishes, electrorefineries are confronted with an increasing prevalence of higher impurity anodes which presents significant challenges. This study aims to explore both conventional and innovative hydrometallurgical strategies for managing impurities in copper refining, namely nickel, bismuth, and antimony, through techniques like bleeds, arsenic control, and specialized circuits. The methodology includes an extensive review of existing practices alongside the introduction of systemic approaches that encompass atmospheric and pressure leaching, selective precipitation, impurity recycling, and fixation processes. The findings highlight the importance of adopting a more integrative perspective that can enhance the efficiency of impurity management. The results indicate that leveraging hydrometallurgical technologies not only optimizes the handling of higher impurity anodes but also contributes to the sustainability of the copper refining industry by improving resource recovery and minimizing waste generation. Therefore, a shift towards comprehensive hydrometallurgical strategies is essential for integrated copper producers in order to maintain competitiveness and environmental responsibility in the face of increasingly challenging raw material sources.