AP14871587 – Development of a comprehensive technology for reducing theft formation during liquid-liquid extraction of copper

Objective of the project: Development of technology to prevent the formation of the third phase in the process of copper extraction by chemical methods using sulfuric acid – heptane - containing (C7H16) mixture and hydro -sulfate-chloride mixture.

Relevance: Kazakhstan ranks 6th in the world in terms of copper reserves. In view of this fact, the sale of copper for the Republic is the second most important source of GDP. Kazakhstan produces about 4% of world copper production and about 50% of copper production among the CIS countries. Copper production from oxide ore at Aktogay Kazminerals alone will be about 20 thousand tons per year until 2024. The technology is in demand both for Kazakhstani enterprises and for foreign ones in Australia, Canada, Zambia and others. Due to the fact that copper production using the SX-EW technology from oxide ore is planned to increase to 100 thousand tons per year by 2025 in Kazakhstan, this technology will help increase copper production and reduce the cost of organic reagents, which will increase the environmental impact load on the places where the waste material is stored.

Scientific adviser: PhD , candidate of technical sciences, assoc . Professor, Chepushtanova Tatyana Aleksandrovna

Results obtained: An effective technology for copper solvent extraction with chemical suppression of crud formation was developed. The composition of initial solutions was determined, and optimal extractants and special reagents were selected. It was established that silicon and its polymerization are the main causes of crud formation during extraction. The use of special additives significantly reduced crud volume and improved phase separation time. Optimal extraction conditions were identified, ensuring high copper recovery efficiency. The proposed technology is recommended for industrial application and demonstrates strong economic feasibility.

List of publications with links to them

1. Chepushtanova T.A., Yessirkegenov M.I., Mamyrbayeva K.K., Merkibayev Y.S.
   Investigations of the extraction of copper and crud-formation from a pregnant leached solution of the Almaly deposit // Non-ferrous Metals. – 2023. – № 2. – P. 11–19. – DOI: 10.17580/nfm.2023.01.02.
   URL: https://www.rudmet.ru/journal/2217/article/36739/
2. Chepushtanova T.A., Yessirkegenov M.I., Mamyrbayeva K.K., Merkibayev Y.S., Nikolosky A.
   Testing of the optimum extragent for solvent-extraction of Almaly deposit copper // Complex Use of Mineral Resources. – 2023. – № 1. – P. 43–49.
   URL: https://kims-imio.kz/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2023-1-6.pdf
3. Чепуштанова Т.А., Есиркегенов М.И., Мамырбаева К.К., Тулепбергенов А.К., Николоски А.
   Исследование процесса экстракции основных компонентов продуктивного раствора (меди, железа и кремнезема) месторождения Алмалы // Университет еңбектері – Труды Университета. – 2023. – № 1 (90). – С. 23–29. – DOI: 10.52209/1609-1825_2023_1_23.
   URL: http://tu.kstu.kz/archive/issue/96
4. Chepushtanova T., Yessirkegenov M., Mamyrbayeva K., Akcil A., Gaipov T.
   Extraction of Copper from Pregnant Leach Solution (PLS) and Reduction of Crud Formation // Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review. – 2024. – P. 1–13. – DOI: 10.1080/08827508.2024.2340545.
   (Percentile – 89, Q1).
5. Chepushtanova T., Yessirkegenova M., Bochevskaya Ye., Sharipova A., Baigenzhenov O., Merkibayev Y., Altmyshbayeva A.
   The Testing Results of ACORGA, LIX Extractants and CR60 Crud Mitigation Reagent Influence during SX-EW Copper Extraction // Sustainability (MDPI). – 2024. – P. 1–17. – DOI: 10.3390/su16177815.
   URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/17/7815
6. Чепуштанова Т.А., Есиркегенов М.И., Мамырбаева К.К., Меркибаев Е.С.
   Способ жидкостной экстракции меди из сернокислых растворов: заявка на патент № 20524/0449.1 от 03.06.2024 г.
7. Чепуштанова Т.А., Есиркегенов М.И., Мамырбаева К.К., Меркибаев Е.С.
   Устойчивое развитие гидрометаллургии меди – принципы и технологии снижения крадообразования при жидкостной экстракции меди: монография. – ISBN 978-601-08-4140-6. – 136 с.