A review of copper–arsenic mineral removal from copper concentrates

Arsenic is a toxic and volatile element that has little commercial use. This is causing some concern to copper smelters as they are obliged to dispose of arsenic materials produced as a by-product to the smelting process in accordance with ever tightening environmental guidelines. The onus is to move back to concentrate producers to remove toxic elements, such as arsenic, earlier in the concentrate supply chain.The common copper–arsenic bearing minerals in copper ores, enargite (Cu3AsS4) and tennantite (Cu12As4S13), contain significant amounts of copper; 48.4% and 51.6% respectively. Removal of these minerals from the concentrate removes valuable metal, hence income. There is a dearth of literature concerning the selective removal of enargite and tennantite from sulphide ores, but there are reports on some success using either chemical oxidation or potential control. These methodologies have been applied to ores from mines as they deepen where arsenic levels in concentrate are becoming prohibitive. In this paper copper–arsenic mineral removal from copper concentrates is reviewed.

Copper minerals, in particular those containing arsenic, can be separated utilising techniques that control pulp potential. This has implications in the preparation of low arsenic bearing copper concentrates.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Copper–arsenic minerals can be removed through pulp potential control techniques.
► Pulp potential conditions are an important factor in floating copper minerals.
► Flowsheets have been developed to produce high and low arsenic copper concentrates.