Clarification and solvent extraction studies of a high talc containing copper aqueous solution

Effects of different flocculants on the clarification of a copper aqueous solution destined for solvent extraction were investigated. The test work was conducted on the pregnant leaching solution (PLS) of a high talc containing copper ore that had a high propensity of bearing a large amount of suspended solids. The clarification test work was conducted using three commercial high molecular anionic polyacrylamide polymer flocculants: rheomax® DR 1050, brontë 103, and senfloc® 2660. Solvent extraction tests were done using 30% (v/v) LIX 984N at pH 1.8. The parameters of clarification and solvent extraction were the flocculant dosage (0, 58.14, 116.28, 232.56 and 348.84 g/t) and the ratio O/A (1/5, 1/2, 2/3, 1/1, 3/2, 2/1, and 5/1), respectively. The analysis results of the PLS showed it contained 2000 ppm of solids in suspension. The optimal conditions for clarification and solvent extraction were a dosage of 116.28 g/t and an O/A of 1.5, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the residual total suspended solids (TSS) in the clarified solutions were 1196 ppm, 954 ppm, and 928 ppm; the phases disengagement time (PDT) for organic continuous dispersion were 70 s, 80 s and 60 s; the percent TSS entrained in the organic phase were 26.76%, 28.93% and 25.32%; copper recoveries were 97.63%, 98.98% and 95.13%, with rheomax® DR 1050, brontë 103 and senfloc® 2660, respectively.