Removing copper from copper mine tailings,
to reduce environmental pollution
To answer this question, I should say many methods are available, but not all of them are feasible. So, a deep study should be implemented on the process mineralogy of this case.
If this copper-containing were liberated, they would've been float, in the flotation plant. As a result, these particles are not liberated or well exposed. depends to each option different processing methods can be applied.
To answer this question, I should say many methods are available, but not all of them are feasible. So, a deep study should be implemented on the process mineralogy of this case.
If this copper-containing were liberated, they would've been float, in the flotation plant. As a result, these particles are not liberated or well exposed. depends to each option different processing methods can be applied.
Farzad Nobakht The cheapest and most sustainable is probably phytoremediation using legume for instance Cajanus cajan. This plant is resilient to toxicant and being a legume it is able to sustainably grow without the addition of fertilizers. We tested this plant in our lab with toxic petroleum sludge containing high heavy metals concentration, and it is able to survive and reduce the toxic concentration of sludge. Do contact Ibrahim Alkali Allamin for further advise as he did the experiment in our lab with petroleum oily sludge. Would be interesting to see the capability of this hardy plant to remediate copper the contaminated soil. In addition, I had mentioned to a similar question in RG regarding mine's tailing that you can do metagenomic studies to see population shifts/succession.
Assuming that the tailings are the discharge of the concentrator, a mineralogical study of the degree of liberation of the copper minerals, will tell you if it would be possible to regrind and float the copper. Another avenue to explore is the Platsol(TM) process, that was designed to recover rare earth minerals but can also recover copper from low grade deposits
M. Y. Shukor Thank you for your answer. But using plants on an industrial scale for removing copper mine pollution, is not clear whether it can be a good solution or not. In general, I prefer the use of super absorbents which could be responsive on an industrial scale.
Are you trying to harvest the remaining copper or immobilize it in place?
The scale and the mineral assemblage will make a significant difference to the process selection.
Dear Ned Murphy thanks for your responce. I m trying to recovery the remaining copper.
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