Flotation of copper oxide minerals:A review

Copper oxide minerals are important copper resources,which include malachite,azurite,chrysocolla,cuprite,etc.Flotation is the most widely used method for the enrichment of copper oxide minerals in the mineral processing industry.In this paper,the surface properties of copper oxide minerals and their effects on the mineral flotation behavior are systematically summarized.The flotation methods of copper oxide minerals and the interaction mechanism with reagents are reviewed in detail.Flotation methods include direct flotation(using chelating reagents or a fatty acid as collector),sulfidization flotation(using xanthate as collector),and activation flotation(using chelating reagents,ammonium/amine salts,metal ions,and oxidant for activation).An effective way to realize efficient flotation of copper oxide minerals is to increase active sites on the surface of copper oxide minerals to enhance the interaction of collector with the mineral surface.Besides,various perspectives for further investigation on the efficient recovery of copper oxide minerals are proposed.

Effect of temperature on leaching behavior of copper minerals with different occurrence states in complex copper oxide ores

The effect of temperature on leaching behavior of copper minerals with different occurrence states in complex copper oxide ores was carried out by phase analysis means of XRD, optical microscopy and SEM-EDS. The results indicated that at ambient temperature, the easily leached copper oxide minerals were completely dissolved, while the bonded copper minerals were insoluble. At lukewarm temperature of 40℃, it was mainly the dissolution of copper in isomorphism state. With increasing temperature to 60℃, the copper leaching rate in the adsorbed state was significantly accelerated. In addition, when the temperature increased to 80℃, the isomorphic copper was completely leached, leaving 11.2% adsorbed copper un-leached. However, the copper in feldspar-quartz-copper-iron colloid state was not dissolved throughout the leaching process. Overall, the leaching rates of copper in different copper minerals decreased in the order: malachite, pseudo-malachite > chrysocolla > copper-bearing chlorite > copper-bearing muscovite > copper-bearing biotite > copper-bearing limonite > feldspar-quartz-copper-iron colloid.

Mineralization of the Liwu large-scale stratiform copper deposits in Sichuan Province, China: Constraints from fluid inclusions

The Liwu stratiform copper deposit is located in the northwestern Jianglang dome,western China.Current studies mainly focus on the genetic type and mineralization of this deposit.Detailed fluid inclusion characteristics of metallogenic period quartz veins were studied to reveal the ore-forming fluid features.Laser Raman analysis indicates that the ore-forming fluids is a H_(2)O-NaCl-CH_(4)(-CO_(2))system.Fluid inclusions microthermometry shows a homogenization temperature of 181-375°C and a salinity of 5.26%-16.99%for the disseminated-banded Cu-Zn mineralization;but a homogenization temperature of 142-343°C and a salinity of 5.41%-21.19%for the massive-veined Cu-Zn mineralization.These features suggest a medium-high temperature and a medium salinity for the ore-forming fluids.H-O isotopic data indicates that the ore-forming fluids were mainly from the metamorphic and magmatic water,plus minor formation water.And sulfur isotopic data indicates that sulfur was mainly derived from the formation and magmatic rocks.Metallogenesis of the disseminated-banded mineralization was mainly correlated with fluid mixing and water-rock reaction;whereas that of the massive-veined mineralization was mainly correlated with fluid boiling.The genetic type of the deposit is a medium-high temperature hydrothermal deposit related to magmatism and controlled by shear zones.This study is beneficial to understand the stratiform copper deposit.

Influence of copper minerals on cyanide leaching of gold

The paper thermodynamically examined the behavior of various copper minerals in cyanide solu tions and investigated the influence of copper minerals on cyanide leaching of gold. In elucidating the influence of copper minerals on cyanide leaching of gold, copper minerals were classified into two types according to their solubility in cyanide solutions by proposing two concepts, cyaniding easily soluble copper (E Cu ) and cyaniding insoluble copper. The former involves copper occurrence in metal, oxides and secondary sulfides, and the latter refers mainly to primary sulfides. Experimental results show that not all the total copper in an ore affected cyanide leaching of gold, while cyaniding easily soluble copper turns out to be the decisive factor that interferes with gold cyanidation by causing decrease in gold cyanidation recovery and increase in cyanide consumption. When cyaniding easily soluble copper content ( w E(Cu) ) lies in the range of 0 0.25%, it linearly affects gold cyanidation recovery ( R ) as well as cyanide consumption ( m c). The regression equations have been worked out to be R (%)=94.177 5-142.735 7 w E(Cu) with a correlation coefficient of -0.902 and m c=5.590 7+33.572 9 w E(Cu) with a correlation coefficient of 0.945, respectively.

Wear Evaluation of Copper-Nickel-Aluminum Alloys under Extreme Conditions

Cu-Ni-Al alloys at different concentrations were obtained using a high frequency induction melting unit, keeping a balance in the nominal compositions. Light alloys are important to be used in industrial applications. Aluminum additions result in a positive hardness increment of the ternary alloys in comparison with the binary Cu-Ni alloys. Generalized wear mechanisms of the alloys with low aluminum content are basically type abrasive, while samples with 5 and 10 at.% Al present an oxidative-adhesive wear mechanism. Wear results have indicated that aluminum addition affects positively the wear resistance, mainly in samples with high aluminum content product of the creation during the test of different oxides corresponding to the elements present in the alloys.

Geology of the Copper Mineralization in Proterozoic Ajabgarh Meta-Sediments of, Dokan-Dariba Belt, Sikar District Rajasthan Northwestern India

The Khetri copper belt is a well-known metallotect in northern part of Delhi fold belt in Rajasthan. On the eastern margin of the Khetri sub basin of North Delhi basin separated by a basement high, another sub basin Alwar-Ajabgarh sub basin exposes that a thick sequence of Ajabgarh group of rocks overlies a thick arenaceous sequence of Alwar group of Delhi Super Group of rocks. The Ajabgarh meta sediments here in the Neem Ka thana area are characterized by presence of Bornite dominated copper mineralization with silver association and minor presence of Pb. The mineralization has been described by various workers as strata-bound, hypogene and IOCG. But these inferences are based on part information and the inference drawn is sectorial in nature. The current study includes a holistic study based on exploration over a period of more than two decades and the data generated suggest thereof, that this syngenetic sulphide mineralization associated with the sedimentation of marl and carbonate rocks. Subsequently it has been relocated during 2nd deformation accompanied by epigenetic component of mineralization depicted in terms of vein filled coarse grained aggregates of bornite and chalcopyrite disposed across the general disposition of litho-package. The EPMA and fluid inclusion data generated from the area indicate association of typical hydrothermal environment minerals like, Perkrite, Wittchenite, Aguilarite, Molybdnite etc. The mineralizing fluids have been trapped between the temperature ranges of 130°C to 375°C with average being 250°C to 300°C. The fluid salinity also varies from near pure hot water to moderately saline fluid indicative of multi-episodic mineralization of syngenetic nature coupled with epigenetic component. The ore textures indicate 500°C temperature range;certain intergrowths of minerals like specular hematite and bornite suggest the occurrence of hypogene environment induced due to emplacement of granite/pegmatite on the eastern and southern margins of the belt. The strata bound nature suggests the euxogenic environment facilitated by carbonate facies of rocks. The parallelism of sulphide with the rock fabric was attained during first deformation and the epigenetic component coupled with the hypogene assemblage was deposited during the D2 deformation in the brittle ductile shear zones and limb shears, between the temperature ranges of 130°C to 570°C as deduced from petrochemical data. Hence a comprehensive model is suggested here on evolution of process of mineralization in the Neem Ka Thana belt.

Daughter minerals in fluid inclusions of garnet and diopside from Tongguanshan Copper Deposit by SEM/EDS and LRM

Tongguanshan copper deposit of Tongling large ore belt is one of the typicalskarn copper deposits. Based on careful observation under microscope many daughter mineralsincluding transparent ones and opaque ones have been distinguished in the fluid inclusions of garnetand diopside. The results of SEM/EDS (scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectrometer)and LRM (laser Raman microprobe) analysis show that these daughter minerals in garnet are sylvite,halite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite and carbonate. Sylvite daughter mineral is very popular in garnetand diopside. The existence of so much sylvite daughter mineral and other daughter minerals in thefluid inclusions indicates that the ore--forming fluid is of supper-high salinity and high potassiumconcentration. High potassium concentration in the fluid inclusions agrees with K-richmesotype--acid rock and K-silicate alteration that occurred widely in this area. The daughtermineral assemblage in garnet and diopside is similar to the mineral assemblage of ore-forming stagethat followed skarn stage.

Copper Mineralization in the Lower Cambrian Cover of Jbel N’Zourk (Central Anti Atlas, Morocco): Tectonic-Mineralizations Relationships

The Moroccan Anti-Atlas is a vast geological region composed of a Precambrian basement covered by a late-Neoproterozoic to Paleozoic sedimentary sequences. More than 200 copper occurrences are listed in these sequences. The copper mineralization of the Jbel N’Zourk (Central Anti-Atlas) is observed into the lower Limestones of the lower Cambrian (Adoudou formation), just above the volcanic formations of the Jbel Boho between Bou Azzer El Graara and Zenaga inliers. The region is by an E-W shortening resulting in an overlapping structure with vergence associated with folds. Generally, the mineralization is hosted along the principal fault of Jbel N’Zourk and sometimes in the anticlines hinges. The petrographic study showed that the mineralization can be observed in several aspects, either in the fractures and veins, in small karsts or rarely disseminated in calcite and dolomite minerals. These observations host new arguments who contribute to a later reconcentration of the copper mineralization of Jbel N’Zourk, trapped on faulted and folded structures attributed to Variscan deformation.

Ore Minerals and Genesis of Lala Copper Deposit,Sichuan Province

The Lala Cu deposit in Sichuan Province is one of the most important large deposits in SW China,both in terms of Cu and associated Au-Mo-Co-REE-Fe. Systematic ore petrology study shows that ore minerals are mainly composed of hydrothermal magnetite,chalcopyrite and molybdenite.The wall-rock alterations include biotitization,silicification, carbonatation,albitization,potash feldspathization, apatitation,actinolitation and fluoritation,et al. The Pyrite and magnetite have euhedral-subhedral crystalline grained texture and the chalcopyrite

Nano-sized Mineral Phases in Copper-nickel Ores of the Central Pai-Khoi(Nenets Autonomous District,Russia)

The characteristics of previously determined and a number of new,unknown before,mineral phases are presented.On this area in sulphide ores of the Central the Pai-Khoi dolerite bodies.In the process of intrusion formation and sulphidic magma crystallization the subtraction of such elements as lead, stibium,cobalt,arsenic,and accordingly migration and concentration of minerals of platinum

Research Progress of Copper-bearing Minerals in Tibetan Medicine

Copper mineral medicines are widely used in clinical practice.There are 11 kinds of copper-bearing minerals used in the treatment of diseases in Tibetan medicine:bjarosite,silane malachite,brass,malachite,turquoise,bronze,ring copper,turquoise,red copper,chlorite,copper.In this paper,the main components,processing methods,clinical uses and modern pharmacological research progress of copper-bearing minerals in Tibetan medicines were summarized by referring to the Tibetan medicine books,modern ethnic medicine monographs,current quality standards and recent literature,providing reference for the sustainable development and effective utilization of Tibetan medicine resources.

Mathematical model of pyritic smelting process for copper-nickel mineral in oxygen top-blown furnace

Mathematical model for mass transfer of chemical reactions on the surface of the smelting bath pit in oxygen top blown smelting furnace was put forward. Additionally, one of two mathematical models for mass transfer of chemical reactions forming copper matte in smelting bath and the other for parameters of smelting process were developed. The verification tests were simultaneously carried out in a pilot scale furnace and the experimental results show that these mathematical models are convincing. Thus, these numerical models are reliable to simulate pyritic smelting process for copper nickel mineral in oxygen top blown furnace.

Kinetics and equilibrium adsorption of copper(Ⅱ) and nickel(Ⅱ) ions from aqueous solution using sawdust xanthate modified with ethanediamine

Sawdust xanthate modified with ethanediamine was used for the removal of Cu（Ⅱ） and Ni（Ⅱ） from aqueous solution. The influence of various operating parameters such temperature and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption isotherms of modified sawdust was investigated. Thermodynamic parameters, namely Gibbs free energy （△GΘ）, enthalpy （△HΘ） and entropy （△SΘ） of Cu（Ⅱ） and Ni（Ⅱ） adsorption process were calculated, showing that the adsorption is a spontaneous and exothermic process. The modified extended Langmuir equation approaches provide excellent prediction of the binary adsorption. In single and binary systems, the overall adsorption data were best described by the pseudo-second order kinetic model, then the calculated values of activation energy of Cu（Ⅱ） and Ni（Ⅱ） adsorption process were 59.12 and 55.92 kJ/mol respectively. The results show that the affinity of each metal ion onto the modified sawdust surface is influenced by the presence of the other one.

Deep removal of copper from nickel electrolyte using manganese sulfide

Copper is difficult to separate from nickel electrolyte due to low concentration of copper (0.53 g/L) with high concentration of nickel (75 g/L). Manganese sulfide (MnS) was used to deeply remove copper from the electrolyte. Experimental results show that the concentration of copper (ρ(Cu)) decreases from 530 to 3 mg/L and the mass ratio of copper to nickel (RCu/Ni) in the residue reaches above 15 when the MnS dosage is 1.4 times the theoretical valueDt,MnS (Dt,MnS=0.74 g) and the pH value of electrolyte is 4?5 with reaction time more than 60 min at temperatures above 60 °C. The concentration of newly generated Mn2+(ρ(Mn)) in the solution is also reduced to 3 mg/L by the oxidation reaction. The values ofρ(Cu),ρ(Mn)andRCu/Ni meet the requirements of copper removal from the electrolyte. It is shown that MnS can be considered a highly effective decoppering reagent.

Simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of cobalt,copper and nickel using 1-(2-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol by chemometrics methods

The simultaneous determination of cobalt, copper and nickel using 1-（2-thiazolylazo）-2-naphthol （first figure of this article） by spectrophotometric method is a difficult problem in analytical chemistry, due to spectral interferences. By multivariate calibration methods, such as partial least squares （PLS） regression, it is possible to obtain a model adjusted to the concentration values of the mixtures used in the calibration range. Orthogonal signal correction （OSC） is a preprocessing technique used for removing the information unrelated to the target variables based on constrained principal component analysis. OSC is a suitable preprocessing method for PLS calibration of mixtures without loss of prediction capacity using spectrophotometric method. In this study, the calibration model is based on absorption spectra in the 550-750-nm range for 21 different mixtures of cobalt, copper and nickel. Calibration matrices were formed from samples containing 0.05-1.05, 0.05-1.30 and 0.05-0.80 μg·mL^-1 for cobalt, copper and nickel, respectively. The root mean square error of prediction （RMSEP） for cobalt, copper and nickel with OSC and without OSC were 0.007, 0.008, 0.011 and 0.031,0.037, 0.032 μg· mL^-1, respectively. This procedure allows the simultaneous determination of cobalt, copper and nickel in synthetic and real samples and good reliability of the determination was proved.

Metallogenetic Mechanism and Timing of Late Superimposing Fluid Mineralization in the Dongguashan Diplogenetic Stratified Copper Deposit,Anhui Province

An important diplogenetic mineralization event superimposed on pre-existing exhalation sediments in the Tongling area, Anhui province, was triggered by widespread granitic magmatism along the northeastern margin of the Yangtze Block during 140–135 Ma under extensional tectonic circumstances following the collision between the North China and Yangtze blocks. The main orebodies of the Dongguashan copper deposit, a typical diplogenetic stratified deposit among many polymetallic ore deposits in China, are hosted by strata between Upper Devonian sandstone and Carboniferous limestone, and its mineralization was genetically related to the Qingshanjiao intrusive. The Rb-Sr isotopic isochron of the Qingshanjiao intrusive yields an age of about 136.5±1.4 Ma. The ore-forming fluid reflected by the inclusion fluid in quartz veins is characterized by high temperature and high salinity, and its age was also determined by Rb -Sr isotope dating as 134±11 Ma. Oxygen and hydrogen isotope composition data suggest that the ore-forming fluid was derived mainly from magmatism. By integrating these isotopic dating data, characteristics of fluid inclusions and the geology of the deposit, the mineralization of the Dongguashan copper deposit is divided into two stages. First, a stratiform sedimentary deposit or protore layer formed in the Late Devonian to the Early Carboniferous, while in the second stage the pre-existing protore was superimposed by hydrothermal fluid that was derived from the Yanshanian magmatic activities occurring around 135 Ma ago. This two-stage mineralization formed the Dongguashan statiform copper deposit. Associated “porphyry” mineralization found in the bottom of and in surrounding intrusive rocks of the orebodies might have occurred in the same period as a second-stage mineralization of this deposit.

Recovery of Copper（II） and Nickel（II） from Plating Wastewater by Solvent Extraction

The solvent extraction technology, was applied to recover Cu^2＋ and Ni^2＋ from plating wastewater.Lix984N was chosen as the extractant due to-its gooff extraction performance. The influence parame-ters were examlned. The results show that the separation of Cu^2＋ and Ni＂ from sulphate medium can be realized by adjusting pH value with the help of Lix984N. For extracting Cu^2＋ and Ni^2＋, the optimal pH values are 4 and 10.5, and the maximal extraction percentages are 92.9% and 93.0%, respectively .With recovered Cu^2＋ and Ni^2＋ stripped in 170g.L^ -1 and 200 g.L^-1 H2SO4 medium, the stripping percentages of Cu^2＋ and Ni^2＋ are 92.9% and 93.0%, respectively. This method is simple and can be used to recover Cu^2＋ and Ni^2＋ from plating wastewater. And a flow sheet for separation of Cu^2＋ and Ni^2＋ is presented.

Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of friction stir-welded C71000 copper–nickel alloy and 304 austenitic stainless steel

Dissimilar joints comprised of copper–nickel and steel alloys are a challenge for manufacturers in modern industries, as these metals are not thermomechanically or chemically well matched. The present study investigated the effects of tool rotational speed and linear speed on the microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir-welded C71000 copper–nickel and 340 stainless steel alloys using a tungsten carbide tool with a cylindrical pin. The results indicated that a rotational-to-linear speed ratio of 12.5 r/mm did not cause any macro defects, whereas some tunneling defects and longitudinal cracks were found at other ratios that were lower and higher. Furthermore, chromium carbide was formed on the grain boundaries of the 304 stainless steel near the shoulder zone and inside the joint zone, directing carbon and chromium penetration toward the grain boundaries. Tensile strength and elongation percentages were 84% and 65% of the corresponding values in the copper–nickel base metal, respectively.

Recovery of nickel,cobalt,copper and zinc in sulphate and chloride solutions using synergistic solvent extraction

A number of synergistic solvent extraction （SSX） systems have been developed to recover nickel, cobalt, zinc and copper from sulphuric and chloride leach solutions by the solvent extraction team of CSIRO, Australia. These in- clude （1） Versatic 10/CLXS0 system for the separation of Ni from Ca in sulphate solutions, （2） Versatic 10/4PC system for the separation of Ni and Co from Mn/Mg/Ca in sulphate solutions, （3） Cyanex 471X/HRJ-4277 system for the separation of Zn from Cd in sulphate solutions, （4） Versatic 10/LIX63 system for the separation of Co from Mn/Mg/Ca in sulphate solutions, （5） Versatic 10/LIX63/TBP system for separation of Ni and Co from Mn/Mg/Ca in sulphate solutions, （6） Versatic 10/LIX63 system for the separation of cobalt from nickel in sulphate solutions by difference in kinetics, （7） Cyanex 272/LIX84 system for the separation of Cu/Fe/Zn from Ni/Co in sulphate solutions, （8） Versatic 10/LIX63fFBP system to recover Cu/Ni from strong chloride solutions, and [9） Versatic 10/LIX63 system to separate Cu from Fe in strong chloride solutions. The synergistic effect on metal separation and efficiency is presented and possible industrial applications are demonstrated. The chemical stability of selected SSX systems is also reported.

Hydrothermal Alteration Mapping in Northern Khur, Iran, Using ASTER Image Processing: a New Insight to the Type of Copper Mineralization

Eastern Iran has great potential for the discovery of different types of mineralization. The study area encompasses Tertiary magmatism in the northern Lut block located in northern Khur, South Khorasan, eastern Iran and is mostly covered by volcanic rocks, which are intruded by porphyritic subvolcanic intrusions in some places. Application of the spectral angle mapper （SAM） technique to Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer （ASTER） images detected sericitic, argillic, and propylitic alterations, silicification, and secondary iron oxides. The alteration is linear and associated within vein-type mineralization. Twelve prospective areas are selected for detailed exploration and based on our processing results, in addition to NW-SE faults, which are associated with Cu mineralization indications, NE-SW faults are also shown to be important. Based on the presence of subvolcanic rocks and numerous Cu ± Pb-Zn vein-type mineralizations, extensive alteration, high anomaly of Cu and Zn （up to 100 ppm）, the age （43.6 to 31.4 Ma） and the initial $78r/S6Sr ratio （0.7047 to 0.7065） of the igneous rocks, and the metallogenic epoch of the Lut block （middle Eocene-lower Oligocene） for the formation of porphyry Cu and epithermal deposits, the studied area shows great potential for porphyry copper deposits.