Gustavo Plenge Co-Invents Method for Extraction of Copper from Arsenical Copper Sulfide Concentrate

Gustavo Plenge, general manager of C.H. Plenge & CIA S.A., is a co-inventor of Patent US10151016B2, awarded on December 11, 2018. This patent covers a novel method for the extraction of copper from mineral ores, focusing on increasing efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.

A process for extraction of copper from an arsenical copper sulfide concentrate is provided. The process includes atmospheric oxidative leaching of a feed slurry including the arsenical copper sulfide concentrate and an acidic iron sulfate-containing leach solution, in the presence of oxygen, to produce a leach slurry including copper and arsenic dissolved into the leach solution. After dissolving the copper and arsenic, scorodite-containing seed is introduced to the leach slurry to induce precipitation of the arsenic dissolved during the oxidative leaching, as scorodite.

The process also includes recovering solids from the leach slurry to produce the solids, including the scorodite, and a pregnant leach solution including the copper, subjecting the pregnant leach solution to solvent extraction for recovering copper and thereby producing a raffinate including sulfuric acid and iron sulfate, and recycling at least a portion of the raffinate including the sulfuric acid and iron sulfate to the oxidative leaching.

Plenge’s work continues to drive innovation in the mining and metallurgical sectors, reinforcing his commitment to responsible and sustainable mining practices.

For more details, view the full patent at Google Patents.