Mechanism of the anodic dissolution of Cu70–Co4–Fe14–Pb7 alloy originated from reduced copper converter slag in an ammoniacal solution: Recovery of copper and cobalt

Industrial copper converter slag was subjected to reduction roasting to produce Cu–Co–Fe–Pb alloys. Cu70–Co4–Fe14–Pb7 alloy was dissolved anodically in ammonia–ammonium chloride solutions. It resulted in the distribution of the metals, wherein iron remained in the slime, while copper and cobalt were components of slime, electrolyte and cathodic deposit. The multiphase alloy did not dissolve uniformly. A mechanism of the alloy dissolution was developed. A series of secondary processes took place in the system: precipitation of iron compounds, cementation of copper ions with iron and cobalt, as well as adsorption of copper and cobalt ions on iron precipitates. Recovery of copper and cobalt from the slime was carried out.