Solvent Extraction Studies of Copper from a Heap Leach Liquor Using Mextral 5640H

Abstract

In this study the extractive capability of Mextral 5640H was investigated for extraction of copper from a heap leach liquor. In this regard, the influence of parameters such as pH (0.2–2.8), extractant concentration in kerosene diluent (2.5%–10% v/v), temperature (25–70 °C), contact time (0–300 s), stirring speed (100–1200 rpm), phase ratio (O/A) (0.6–1.8) and Cu initial concentration (0.5–2 g/L) in the leach liquor were examined and optimized. The findings demonstrated that the Mextral 5640H extractant had a very high efficiency and selectivity in copper extraction from the leachate. 98.17% Cu, with less than 0.5% of Fe and Mn, were extracted at pH 1.6, 10% (v/v) Mextral 5640H concentration, ambient temperature (25 °C), 400 rpm stirring speed, 2 min contact time and an O/A phase ratio of 1:1. Under equilibrium conditions it was found that one mol of Cu is extracted by 7 mol of Mextral 5640H. Additionally, analysis using a McCabe–Thiele diagram suggests a two-stage extraction to reach the maximum extraction of copper (99.5%) from the leachate at operational condition using industrial mixer-settlers. Furthermore, a thermodynamic study was conducted, and the measured values of ΔH = 15.13 kJ/mol, ΔG = −6.95 kJ/mol and ΔS = 74.10 J/mol/K indicate an endothermic, spontaneous nature and high affinity of copper extraction.