This study aims at review of the effects of dry separation method on the ore flotation efficiency and thoroughly discusses the possibility of waste enrichment by sieving through fine-mesh sieves with sizes (d > 0.4; 0.16 < d < 0.4; 0.08 < d < 0.16; d < 0.08 mm). A granulometric analysis of four samples waste production, was carried out and the copper content in each fraction was determined. According to the results of the study, the following was established: 1) the largest proportion has a grain size fraction over the range 0.16-0.08 mm in the «current tails» of the Karagaily ore-processing plant, in this fraction turned out to be the highest copper content; 2) a larger amount of copper is contained in coarse fraction of «stored tails» and «current tails» of Zhezkazgan ore-processing plant 1-2, therefore, it is possible to sift out a finely dispersed fraction; 3) the largest fraction by grain size is over the range of 0.16-0.08 mm in «aged tails» of Zhezkazgan PP 3, but the largest weight percentage of copper is over the range 0.08 < d < 0.16. As a result of the studies, it was found that «current tails» and «stored tails» are applicable for the ore enrichment by dry separation method. The «Current tails» of the KPP are not suitable for enrichment by dry separation.

In this work, for the first time, studies of the mineralogical composition and chemical semi-quantitative spectral analysis (SQSA) of the Zhezkazgan processing plant tailings before and after leaching were carried out. It was found that copper is present in the tailings in the form of the chalcosine and bornite minerals. After leaching with the use of ammonium bifluoride and a hydro-pulse discharge, chalcosine and boronite are destroyed, and copper passes into a solution containing phosphoric acid. As a result of multiple placing of tailings into the solution, the copper content in it is brought to a concentration at which copper deposition on a stainless steel plate is possible. The identification of copper was implemented on a LAES-Matrix grain spectrometer. A visual comparative analysis of the changes in the structure of the treated ore waste was carried out using a TESCAN MIRA scanning electron microscope. Metallic copper was obtained from solution by electrochemical reactions in an experimental laboratory setup as a result. The technology was developed on an experimental laboratory setup for the extraction of metallic copper and brought the choice of the solution medium and electrochemical processes to the stage of obtaining the target metal with a purity of 99.99 %