EXTRACTIVE METALLURGY

COPPER EXTRACTION

Andaradhi Nararya

1206291992

Pranaya Ganendra Putra

1206292036

Department of Metallurgy and Materials

Faculty of Engineering
Universitas Indonesia
2014

Content
Introduction
History

to copper

of copper

Properties

of copper

Copper

mineral ores

Copper

extraction process

Pyrometallurgy

Roasting
Smelting
Converison
Refining

Applications
Reference

of copper

1. Introduction to copper

Copper is a chemical element with symbol Cu

(from Latin: cuprum) and atomic number 29.

It is a ductile metal with very high

thermal and electrical conductivity.

Pure copper is soft and malleable.

Has a reddish-orange color.

2. History of copper

In Roman era, copper was principally mined

on Cyprus, hence the origin of the name of the metal
as yprium (metal of Cyprus), later shortened
to uprum.

3. Properties of copper
Name and Symbol

Copper: Cu

State

Solid

Atomic Number

29

Element category

Transition Metal

Group: Period: Block

11: 4: d

Standard atomic weight

63.546(3) gmol1

Density

8.94 gcm3

Melting point

1084.62 C

Boiling point

2562 C

Crystal structure

Face-Centered Cubic

Magnetic ordering

Diamagnetic

Electrical resistivity

(20 C) 16.78 nm

Thermal conductivity

(300 K) 401 Wm1K1

4. Copper mineral ores

Pure copper is rarely found in nature. It is usually

combined with other chemicals in the form of copper
ores.

The main ore mineral of copper is chalcopyrite

(CuFeS2), bornite (Cu5FeS4), covellite (CuS) and
chalcocite (Cu2S)

Name

Formula

% Copper when pure

Azurite

2CuCO3Cu(OH)2

55.1

Bornite

2Cu2SCuSFeS

63.3

Chalcocite

Cu2S

79.8

Chrysocolla

CuOSiO22H2O

37.9

Covellite

CuS

66.5

Cuprite

Cu2O

88.8

Malachite

CuCO3Cu(OH)2

57.3

Chalcopyrite

CuFeS2

34.5

Tennantite

Cu12As4S13

51.6

Tetrahedrite

Cu3SbS3 +
x(Fe,Zn)6Sb2S9

3245

5. Copper extraction process

Copper (Cu): non-reactive metal (can

atmospheric air or by presence of oxygen).

Copper extraction processes:

o Pyrometallurgy
o Hydrometallurgy

be

processed

in

Pyrometallurgy: Roasting Smelting Conversion Refining - Casting

5.1 Roasting

The objectives in roasting process are:

o Change some of the CuFeS2 to copper oxide
o Remove some of the sulphur as sulphur dioxide.

The roasting process is taken by reverberatory furnaces.

It is heated up to 500C - 700C in air.

2CuFeS2(s) + 3O2(g) 2FeO(s) + 2CuS(s) + 2SO2(g)

The copper concentrate is partially oxidized to produce calcine

and sulfur dioxide gas.

10

5.2 Smelting

The calcine is heated to over 1200 C with fluxes such as silica

and limestone in flash smelting furnace.

The calcine melts and reacts with the fluxes.

Some impurities form a slag which floats on the surface of the

liquid (like oil on water) and is easily removed.

The liquid left is a mixture of copper sulphides and iron

sulphides. It is called a matte.

11

5.3 Conversion
The liquid matte is oxidized with air to form blister copper in
a converter. The reactions are:

a)

Elimination of iron sulphide by oxidation to iron oxide which

forms a slag:

b)

Formation of blister copper by reduction of copper sulphide:

The blister copper produced by this process is 99% pure copper.

12

5.4 Refining

Even though blister copper is 99% pure. It contains

impurities mainly Fe but little amount of As, Zn, Pb, Ag and Au
may also be present.

These impurities adversely affect the electrical as well as

mechanical properties of copper. Therefore, they must be
removed.

The blister copper is heated in a refining furnace (air + sodium

carbonate flux; to remove traces of arsenic and antimony).

The molten copper, which is about 99.5% pure, is then poured

into molds to form large electrical anodes.

13

The large electrical anodes ready for electrolytic refining

(immerse in acidic copper sulfate solution) to obtain 99.95 99.99% pure copper.

14

6. Applications of copper

15

Reference
http://www.somika.com/copper-properties-

ores-minerals-lubumbashi.php

http://copperalliance.org/history-of-copper/

http://www.australianminesatlas.gov.au/educ

ation/fact_sheets/copper.html

http://resources.schoolscience.co.uk/CDA/14-

16/cumining/copch2pg3.html

http://www.madehow.com/Volume-

4/Copper.html

http://www.citycollegiate.com/dblock4.htm

16