This technology is a hydrometallurgical method of extracting copper from chalcopyrite that uses aqueous ions as reducing agents.
Most of the earth’s copper exists as chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) and is extracted via pyrometallurgy. However, pyrometallurgical processes are expensive and polluting. Hydrometallurgical processes may be more economic and environmentally friendly, but current oxidative treatments are expensive and result in poor yields. More robust, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly hydrometallurgical methods of extracting copper from chalcopyrite are needed.
This technology is a hydrometallurgical method of extracting copper from chalcopyrite. The technology reduces chalcopyrite using aqueous ions and is effective across a broad concentration range (0.01 M–10 M). This method is more cost-effective and less polluting than existing hydrometallurgical processes and may be competitive with pyrometallurgical processes. As such, this technology may increase the global supply of copper and thereby facilitate a more economic and advantageous transition to renewable energy.
IR CU21152
Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu