Comparison of LIX 984NC versus acorga M5774 for copper extraction process.
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Date
2015-09-07
Authors
Mwale, Adolph N.
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Abstract
This report looks at the selection of the best extractant amongst the available options on the market. It particularly focuses on the comparison of the two extractant, Lix 984N and Acorga M5774. Mopani copper mines Nkana cobalt plant has a copper solvent extraction plant as one of the by processes to extract and produce copper in the quest to purify the pregnant solution into a cobalt concentrated solution. Therefore it is in the best interest of the company to minimise operation cost. Test works were carried out to come up with a very economical but effective extractant that will extract copper from the pregnant leach solution. Test works were done on a bench scale by comparing the two extractants at the same conditions to see which one extract more and which one has better economics if all factors are considered. Acorga M5774 is cheaper than Lix 984N in terms of price per kilogram. The test works have shown that Lix 984N easily extracts the copper from the pregnant leach solution but it is not easily striped by the spent electrolyte than Acorga M5774. Even though this is the case, Lix 984N has shown that on the overall, it is better than Acorga M5774 because it loses less copper to the tails and the economics are good.
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Mineral industries