Characterization and process development for the selective removal of Sn, Sb, As from anode slime obtained from electrolytic copper refining

  • Stefan Steinlechner Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy of Montanuniversitaet Leoben
Keywords: slime, METALS, anode slime, process development, selective leaching, antimony, arsenic, tin, characterization,

Abstract


The present research paper describes the characterization of anode slime with regard to the disturbing elements Sn, As, Sb in the processing for a precious metals recovery and a proposal for a process concept to remove and recover separate and enriched streams of As, Sn and Sb. First, the anode slime was characterized concerning its constituents and morphology using scanning electron microscopy, hence forming the base for the process development. Subsequently, a hydrometallurgical leaching concept with alkaline media, a 4 mol/liter potassium hydroxide solution, was investigated to separate the mentioned metals in separate streams.

Author Biography

Stefan Steinlechner, Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy of Montanuniversitaet Leoben

References

Amer, A.M., Processing of copper anodic-slimes for extraction of valuable metals, Waste Management 23 (2003), 8, 763–770.

Ludvigsson, B.M. und S.R. Larsson, Anode slimes treatment: The boliden experience, JOM 55 (2003), 4, 41–44.

Petkova, E.N., Mechanisms of floating slime formation and its removal with the help of sulphur dioxide during the electrorefining of anode copper, Hydrometallurgy 46 (1997), 3, 277–286.

Mastyugin, S.A. und S.S. Naboichenko, Processing of copper-electrolyte slimes: Evolution of technology, Russ. J. Non-ferrous Metals 53 (2012), 5, 367–374.

Chen, T.T. und J.E. Dutrizac, Mineralogical characterization of a copper anode and the anode slimes from the la caridad copper refinery of mexicana de cobre, Metall and Materi Trans B 36 (2005), 2, 229–240.

Kilic, Y., G. Kartal und S. Timur, An investigation of copper and selenium recovery from copper anode slimes, International Journal of Mineral Processing 124 (2013), 75–82.

Agrawal, A. und K.K. Sahu, Problems, prospects and current trends of copper recycling in India: An overview, Resources, Conservation and Recycling 54 (2010), 7, 401–416.

Ranjbar, R., M. Naderi, H. Omidvar und G. Amoabediny, Gold recovery from copper anode slime by means of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs), Hydrometallurgy 143 (2014), 54–59.

Wang, X., Q. Chen, Z. Yin, M. Wang, B. Xiao und F. Zhang, Homogeneous precipitation of As, Sb and Bi impurities in copper electrolyte during electrorefining, Hydrometallurgy 105 (2011), 3-4, 355–358.

Fernández, M.A., M. Segarra und F. Espiell, Selective leaching of arsenic and antimony contained in the anode slimes from copper refining, Hydrometallurgy 41 (1996), 2-3, 255–267.

Chen, T.T. and J.E. Dutrizac, Mineralogical characterization of a copper anode and the anode slime from the la cadridad copper refinery of Mexicana de cobre, Metallurgical and Materials Transaction B (2005), volume 36B,229-240.

Junwei Han, Chao Liang, Wei Liu, et al., Pretreatment of tin anode slime using alkaline pressure oxidative leaching, Separation and Purification Technology 174 (2017), 389–395.

Published
2017/12/29
How to Cite
Steinlechner, S. (2017). Characterization and process development for the selective removal of Sn, Sb, As from anode slime obtained from electrolytic copper refining. Journal of Mining and Metallurgy, Section B: Metallurgy, 54(1), 81-89. Retrieved from https://aseestant.ceon.rs/index.php/jmm/article/view/13932
Section
Original Scientific Paper