Use of techniques combining lixiviation in tas and l solvent extraction for the valorization of minerals poor of the Mukondo deposition

The Mukondo deposit located in the vicinity of the mining town of Kakanda(10 to 15km) is a very important deposit of Lualaba which contains ores Cuprocobal tifères. The present study initiated by the mining company Boss Mining injoint venture with Gécamines. the minerals of Cellular and Individuals Cobalt Silicates 'PCS' shifting to Cobalt poor ores the study is about the tests ofvaluation of this deposit containing approximately 1.3% copper and 0.7% cobalt, the optimization of heap leaching of this conventional ore already operational and Solvent extraction of Copper and Cobalt from PLS (Pignan Leach Solution) prepared laboratory experiments have shown that the copper content is leaching with dissolution yields of about 70% irrespective of the acidic medium used,however, Cobalt partially leaches at about 17% when using the acid only. Cobalt is leached with good yields (greater than 95%) by adding in the reaction medium a chemical agent such as sodium metabisulfite which facilitates the reduction of trivalent cobalt. Heap leach tests have shown that the leaching takes place with slow kinetics compared to stirred tank leaching and that the dissolution rate of metals could be increased by playing on the percolation rate. To promote subsequent solvent extraction operations Copper and cobalt, percolations with recirculation of PLS were conducted at an optimal pH of extraction of copper by the LIX 984N and the recirculation was carried out until PLS containing 4 to 5 g / l Cu and about 2 g / l Co. are obtained,extraction tests indicated as in most literatures and as observed in some factories of the place that Copper s extracts easily and selectively using the LIX 984N. The residual concentration of copper in the refining is less than 100ppm. On the other hand, to extract the Cobalt, whatever the type of exterminator used (D2EHPA, CYANEX 272 or LIX 272), it is necessary to raise the pH around 5. At this pH is observed precipitation of some metals (iron, Cu), which requires prior to their elimination. These experimental findings demonstrate the possibility to valorize the minerals of the Mukondo deposit using the techniques Combining ore leaching and solvent extraction of copper and copper Cobalt.