Metallurgical behavior of fine fractions of copper sulfide minerals in a combined process of modified flotation and agitated bioleaching

Abstract

Respuesta metalúrgica. Fracciones finas de minerales de cobre. Flotación FEMAM®. Biolixiviación. Extracciones de cobre.Metallurgical behavior of fine fractions of copper sulfide minerals in a combined process of modified flotation and agitated bioleaching AbstractThe metallurgical behavior of fine fractions of copper sulfide minerals of Compañía Minera Quebrada Blanca S.A. was studied by concentration through flotation in aqueous media modified by alcohol followed by bioleaching of the concentrates. By using a 1 % v/v of methanol, the metallurgical recovery of copper reaches 88 %, while the iron recovery was 43 %, the weight recovery was 18%, which indicates a high selectivity. These concentrates were then bioleached with and without nutrient medium, reaching 80 % of copper recovery after 10 and 17 days, respectively. Then, it is possible to conclude that this concentration-bioleaching metallurgical process is a promising route for copper recovery from the fine fraction of sulfide minerals.