Advanced electrochemical oxidative leaching of chalcopyrite

Abstract

This thesis presents a sustainable and highly efficient method for extracting copper from chalcopyrite, the most common copper ore. Addressing the soaring global demand for copper, the research introduces a novel electrochemical oxidative leaching process that overcomes the limitations of traditional methods.

The core of the technology involves generating powerful reactive oxygen species (ROS) in an acidic solution to dissolve the ore. The study highlights several key findings: first, the use of boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes achieves a copper dissolution rate 13 times faster than conventional leaching. The addition of ultrasound further accelerates this process.

Second, a new CeO

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-PbO

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/BTNA anode was developed, showing superior performance with over 90% copper recovery and a faster reaction rate. Finally, the research explores UV-assisted electrooxidation, which significantly boosts efficiency by creating a more homogeneous distribution of ROS. This process increased the leaching rate by 104%.

Overall, the thesis provides a strong proof of concept for a cleaner, more efficient copper extraction method. Its findings offer a solid scientific basis for future commercialization, minimizing environmental impact while addressing the critical need for sustainable mineral processing.