copper processing

Copper processing
The copper processing industry refines copper from metal ores or scrap copper. The leading consumers of copper are wire mills and brass mill, which use the copper to produce copper wire and copper alloys, respectively. End uses of copper include construction materials, electronic products, and transportation equipment. Once refined, copper can be used as a powder inautomotive, aerospace. Electrical and electronics equipment, in anti-fouling compounds, various chemicals and medical processes. Compounds of copper include fungicides, wood preservatives. Copper plating, pigments, electronic applications and specialized chemicals.
Copper can be produced as either a primary product or as a co-product of gold, lead, zinc or silver. It is mined in both the northern andsouthern hemisphere and primarily consumed in the northern hemisphere whit the U.S. as a primary producer and consumer.
Primary production of copper
Copper is mined in open pits and below ground. The ore usually contains less than 1% copper and is often associated whit sulfide mineral. The ore is ground, concentrated, and slurried, with water and chemical reagents. Air blown through the mixtureattaches to the copper, causing it to float to the top of the slurry. The copper is then removed with a skimmer. The tailings remain and are dewatered and disposed of in tailing ponds. The water is recovered and recycled.
One of two processing methods are used to refine concentrated copper. Pyro metallurgy, or smelting, is used on or whit copper sulfide and iron sulfide minerals. The concentrate isdried and fed into a furnace. The minerals are partially oxidized and melted, resulting in segregated layers. The matte layer refers to the iron-copper sulfide mixture which sinks to the bottom. The slag, which refers to the remaining impurities, floats on top of the matte. The slag is discarded in site or sold as railroad ballast and sand blasting grit. Sulfur dioxide gases are also collected andmade into sulfuric acid for use in hydrometallurgical leaching (discussed below) or sold off-site.
The matte is recovered and moved to the converter, a cylindrical vessel into which the copper is poured. Air, lime and silica are added to react with the metal oxide. Scrap copper may also be added. Iron slag is removed and often recycle back into the furnace. Sulfur dioxide is captured andconverted into sulfuric acid. The converted copper known as is recovered.
The blister copper then undergoes Air and natural gas are blown through the copper to remove any remaining sulfur and oxygen. The copper is cast into copper anodes a placed in an electrolytic cell. Once charged, the pure copper collects on the cathode and is removed as 99% pure. The copper can be sold to wire –rod mills orfurther processes into rods. Anode slime refers to impurities that sink to the bottom of the electrolytic cell.
The second method for refining copper is called the hydrometallurgical process. This process begins with oxidized copper ores or oxidized copper wastes. The oxidized material is leached with sulfuric acid from the smelting.


Procesamiento de cobre
  La industria de procesamiento decobre refina cobre de minerales metálicos o chatarra de cobre. Los principales consumidores de cobre son fábricas de cables y tubos y planchas, que utilizan el cobre para producir hilo de cobre y aleaciones de cobre, respectivamente. Los usos finales de cobre incluyen materiales de construcción, productos electrónicos, y equipo de transporte. Una vez refinado, el cobre puede ser utilizado como unpolvo en la automoción, aeroespacial. Los equipos eléctricos y electrónicos, en los compuestos anti-incrustantes, diversos productos químicos y procesos médicos. Los compuestos de cobre incluyen fungicidas, conservantes de la madera. Chapado de cobre, pigmentos, aplicaciones electrónicas y productos químicos especializados.
El cobre puede ser producido ya sea como un producto primario o como un...