PDF

Keywords

Copper smelting slag
selective leaching
sulfuric acid leaching
metal sulfates
water leaching
non-ferrous metals
hydrometallurgy
extraction efficiency

How to Cite

NON-CONVENTIONAL HYDROMETALLURGICAL SEPARATION OF IRON, ZINC, AND COPPER FROM COPPER INDUSTRY WASTE . (2026). Mining Bulletin of Uzbekistan, 1(104), 21-26. https://journal.nsumt.uz/academy/index.php/MBU/article/view/71

Abstract

In this study, the possibilities of efficiently separating iron, zinc, and copper from copper smelting slag, which is a waste of the copper industry, using a non-conventional hydrometallurgical method were investigated. The recycling of such wastes is important not only for the recovery of valuable metals but also for reducing their negative impact on the environment. In order to eliminate technological problems that arise during the filtration stage after sulfuric acid leaching of copper smelting slag, the research was carried out in three stages. First, the slag sample was selectively leached with sulfuric acid; in the second stage, the obtained solution was dried; and in the final stage, the resulting solid metal sulfates were selectively leached with water. During the sulfuric acid leaching process, the effects of acid concentration, leaching time, temperature, and stirring speed on the transfer of metals into the solution were comprehensively investigated. The experimental results showed that an acid concentration of 2 M, a leaching time of 120 minutes, a temperature of 90 °C, and a stirring speed of 300 rpm are optimal conditions for metal dissolution. Under these conditions, the degree of metal dissolution into the solution was 89.5% for Cu, 88.7% for Zn, and 59.2% for Fe. The solution obtained after selective leaching was dried at 150 °C for 90 minutes to obtain solid metal sulfates. In the next stage, this product was selectively leached with water, and it was determined that a leaching time of 40 minutes and a temperature of 40 °C are the most favorable conditions for the transfer of metals into the solution.

PDF

References

1. Chen, D., Li, H., Tan, J., Du, D. and Zhan, W., 2024. Stepwise extraction of Fe, Si from copper slag and self-assembly synthesis of microspheres for As (V) removal: Resource transformation and environmental governance. Chemical Engineering Journal, 490, p.151860.

2. Zhu, Y., Li, B., Wei, Y., Zhou, S. and Wang, H., 2024. Catalytic pyrolysis of waste printed circuit board with copper slag for the production of H2-rich gas. Fuel, 357, p.129704.

3. Wan, X., Taskinen, P., Shi, J. and Jokilaakso, A., 2021. A potential industrial waste–waste co-treatment process of utilizing waste SO2 gas and residue heat to recover Co, Ni, and Cu from copper smelting slag. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 414, p.125541

4. Wang, Z., Gao, J., Lan, X. and Guo, Z., 2024. A green method to clean copper slag and rapidly recover copper resources via reduction-sulfurizing smelting and super-gravity separation at low temperature. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 468, p.133834.

5. Kun WANG, Yan LIU, Jun HAO, Zhi-he DOU, Guo-zhi LV, Ting-an ZHANG. A novel slag cleaning method to recover copper from molten copper converter slag. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China. Volume 33. Issue 8, 2023, Pages 2511-2522.

6. Kundu, T., Senapati, S., Das, S.K., Angadi, S.I. and Rath, S.S., 2023. A comprehensive review on the recovery of copper values from copper slag. Powder technology, 426, p.118693.

7. Huang, Y., Wang, D., Liu, H., Fan, G., Peng, W. and Cao, Y., 2023. Selective complexation leaching of copper from copper smelting slag with the alkaline glycine solution: An effective recovery method of copper from secondary resource. Separation and Purification Technology, 326, p.124619.

8. Lim, B., Aylmore, M., Grimsey, D. and Alorro, R.D., 2023. Technospheric mining of critical and strategic metals from nickel slag–Leaching with citric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Hydrometallurgy, 219, p.106066

9. Sari, Z.A., Turan, M.D. Investigation of atmospheric pressure leaching conditions and leaching kinetics in the obtaining of industrial copper (II) acetate solution from copper slags. J. Cent. South Univ. 30, 2556–2573 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-023-5406-5

10. Meshram, P., Prakash, U., Bhagat, L., Abhilash, Zhao, H. and van Hullebusch, E.D., 2020. Processing of waste copper converter slag using organic acids for extraction of copper, nickel, and cobalt. Minerals, 10(3), p.290.

11. Wang, Y., Chang, X., Chen, M., Qin, W. and Han, J., 2023. Effective extraction of nickel and cobalt from sintered nickel alloy via reduction roasting and leaching. Minerals Engineering, 203, p.108336.

12. Bei-kai ZHANG, Qin-meng WANG, Xue-yi GUO, Qing-hua TIAN. Mechanism and kinetics for chlorination roasting of copper smelting slag. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China. Volume 33, Issue 2, February 2023, Pages 563-575

13. Wang, Q., Ma, H., Liu, M., Guo, R. and Liu, G., 2022. A new method of full resource utilization of copper slag. Hydrometallurgy, 212, p.105899.

14. Tolibov, B.I., M.S. Axmedov va S.M. Yo‘ldoshov. “Flotatsiya jarayoni yaxshilash uchun mis shlaklarining kristall holatini Na2CO3 bilan optimallashtirishni tadqiq qilish.” Muhandislik texnologiyasidagi yutuqlari 1-jild (2023): 66-75-bet.

15. Akhmedov, Madatjon. “Research on the extraction of copper and other metals from copper slags using sulfuric acid leaching.” Acta of Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent 14.2 (2024):p 7-12.

16. Alam, S.; Tolibov, B.; Akhmedov, M.; Khujamov, U.; Yarlakabov, S. Enhanced Extraction of Valuable Metals from Copper Slags by Disrupting Fayalite and Spinel Structures Using Sodium Sulfate. Minerals 2025, 15, 771. https://doi.org/10.3390/min15080771

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2026 Axmedov, M.S., Yuldoshev, S.M., Azimova, A.B. (Muallif)

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.