Investigation on removing acid-consuming gangue from a copper tailings by reverse flotation

A technology route of "Reverse flotation of acid-consuming gangue minerals- Acid leaching for copper-Extracting-Electrodepositing" is proposed for recovery copper from tailings with high content of calcium oxide and high content of combined copper oxide. The effect of the main factors involving regulator dosage, collector type and dosage was investigated. On this regard, a open-circuit flotation test scheme was proceeded, by which a concentrate was obtained with 3.84% of CaO grade, 71.57% of CaO recovery, 0.82% of Cu grade and 79.76% of Cu recovery. This concentrate can be directly used for the production of sulfuric acid leaching and preparation of electrolytic copper. This technology can be used to fully utilize Cu from tailings, which will help to extend raw material sourcing for Chinese Cu industry.