Copper Leaching In Zambia Explained! How Copper Leaching Is Done!

For any consultations call Copper Crest Trading Limited and they will help you with your ESIA, call Copper Crest Trading Limited on +260 771 701 655 or email : coppercresttrading@gmail.com.

Copper Leaching In Zambia Explained! How Copper Leaching Is Done! 
There are two main methods for copper leaching: heap leaching and tank leaching.

Heap leaching is a large-scale method suitable for low-grade copper ores. Here's how it works:

1. Preparation: The ore is crushed into small pieces. An impermeable pad is laid on the ground to collect the leaching solution later.
2. Heap formation: The crushed ore is piled onto the pad, forming a large heap.
3. Leaching: A solution, typically dilute sulfuric acid, is sprayed onto the top of the heap. This acidic solution dissolves the copper minerals in the ore.
4. Collection: The copper-rich solution percolates down through the heap and is collected at the bottom.

Tank leaching is used for higher-grade ores or when finer control over the process is needed. Here's a simplified breakdown:

1. Crushing and grinding: The ore is crushed and ground into a fine powder.
2. Leaching tank: The ore is placed in a tank with a sulfuric acid solution.
3. Mixing and agitation: The mixture is stirred or agitated to improve contact between the acid and the copper minerals.
4. Separation: After leaching, the solids (leached ore) are separated from the copper-rich solution.

In both methods, the copper-rich solution then undergoes further processing to recover the copper metal. This may involve processes like solvent extraction and electrowinning.

Here are some additional points to consider:

• The choice of leaching method (heap or tank) depends on factors like ore grade, cost, and environmental regulations.
• Heap leaching has a lower upfront cost but can be slower and less efficient than tank leaching.
• Copper can also be leached using other solutions, such as weak cyanide solutions, but these are less common due to environmental concerns.

I hope this explanation helps!

For any consultations call Copper Crest Trading Limited and they will help you with your ESIA, call Copper Crest Trading Limited on +260 771 701 655 or email : coppercresttrading@gmail.com.