Processing oxide-sulfide copper ores using ammonium chloride

Abstract

The method of processing copper raw material into copper oxide is suggested and investigated. This method is based on the decomposition of copper oxide and sulfide by ammonium chloride with the subsequent leaching of chloride compounds of copper and the precipitation of copper hydroxide from the solution. The thermodynamics is calculated, and a thermogravimetric analysis of the processes is carried out. The kinetics of chlorination of copper and iron sulfides, as well as calcium oxide with ammonium chloride, is investigated experimentally. A process flowsheet of the closed cycle of processing the copper-containing raw material using ammonium chloride is suggested.