Cement copper is extracted from leachete with sulphuric acid using scrap iron. as Iron replaces Cu. The process usually takes time up to 18 days and has been tried in Cyprus. Just check the process in the articles.
Copper sulphides normally concentrates obtained by flotation, were leached with acidic ferric chloride solutions at temperatures above 90oC maintaining molar ratio for the time varying from 6 to 24 hours. The solution is subjected to galvanic cementation to get pure copper precipitate which is further processed to make wire. The lechant is regenerated normally by chlorination of ferrous chloride solution. In case of lean ores which will be subjected to crushing in HPGR are subjected dump/ heap leaching aided by bacteria followed by LIX64 treatment of lean solutions and subsequent electrolysis. The method depends on economics, ore type and grade and market conditions. Normally HPGR - bio leaching of dumps - LIX64 treatment - electrolysis is popular as grades are declining.
All of the answers above are correct, however there are a number of economical solutions depending on how much ore there is, the grade of the ore, presence of other elements...
A low grade sulphide ore leaching could be contemplated using an oxidative / bacterial heap leach.
Another option is to concentrate the sulphides using flotation, then atmospheric or pressure leaching with oxygen to solubilise the copper. Roasting to remove the sulphur and oxidise the copper for acid leaching is also an option. Ammonia leaching of the converted oxide copper can also be contemplated.
There are pros and cons for each option. Note that typically for a high purity copper product, further leach solution purification may be required prior to final copper production, this is usually done with solvent extraction and electrowinning.
One of the important subject in copper sulfide leaching, Ore Characterisation and related method. Bacteria Heap Leaching and Oxidative bacterial heap leaching two methods that apply for low grade copper sulfide leaching. Is the better you done and detailed search in Geo Coat processes and etc.
as chalcopyrite, CuFeS2, containing ore in atmospheric conditions. It is beneficial for the leaching of metal sulphides that the sulphide to be leached is treated before leaching or at the beginning of leaching with a sulphide salt that is nobler than the sulphide or the components it includes.
Specific direct leaching processes for zinc and nickel sulphides have been developed as has one for chalcocite, Cu2S, but chalcopyrite CuFeS2 is one of the most difficult metal sulphides to leach.
Several methods have been developed for leaching chalcopyrite, which can be classified roughly into three different groups, namely chloride-based methods, bacteria^based or -assisted methods and sulphate=based leaching methods at a raised pressure and temperature.
In chloride-based methods, the chalcopyrite leaching takes place mainly by means of divalent copper and trivalent iron, so that soluble metal chlorides, elemental sulphur and iron oxides are formed as the leaching result. Of the subordinate minerals, CuxS-, (Zn1Fe)S-, PbS- and Fe-ι-xS-type minerals dissolve well, but as a rule the dissolving of FeS2 is modest. One typical chloride-based leaching is the CLEAR process, which is described for example in US patents 3,879,272 and 4,545,972. The copper chloride solution that is formed is routed to a metal recovery stage, which at least includes electrolysis.