Recovery of rhenium from copper leach solution by ion exchange

There is current interest in recovering rhenium from solutions produced as a result of copper heap and stockpile leaching. Copper-bearing leach solutions typically contain rhenium at concentrations near 1 mg/L. This work has demonstrated that rhenium can be efficiently extracted from these solutions using weakly basic anion exchange resins. Breakthrough of Re occurs after approximately 5000 BVs of solution flow. Rhenium is eluted from the resin using 1 M NaOH, producing a rhenium-rich solution containing about 1400 mg/L Re. The overall concentration ratio is about 2400:1.

► This paper discusses the recovery of rhenium from copper-bearing leach solutions using weakly basic anion exchange resins.
► Rheium was successfully extracted from solution containing less than 1 mg/L.
► The resin loaded with rhenium is effectively eluted using 1 M NaOH.
► Rich eluates containing about 1400 mg/L Re were obtained.
► The overall concentration ratio is about 2400:1.