Mineralogical Properties of the Copper Slags from the SarCheshmeh Smelter Plant, Iran, in View of Value Recovery

Annually, hundreds of thousands tons slags are involved in the reverberator and flash smelting as well converting operations Cu-Fe sulfide concentrates to produce matte Sar Cheshmeh copper smelter plant, Iran, disposed landfill cooled air. Due their relatively high average content (about 1.5 wt%), a mineral processing plant based on flotation process has recently been established Cu-sulfide concentrate after slag crushing fine grinding operation. In order make more efficient, knowledge is required form origin losses slag. To achieve this, mineralogical studies using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods have carried out. Mineralogical analyses showed main part into semi- fully-crystallized magnetite-rich characterized by crystal–glass matrix ratio ? 1 moderate coarse particles sulfides, i.e., chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) bornite (Cu5FeS4), that mainly chemically entrapped. contrast, mechanically entrapped fine- coarse-grain (from 20 up 200 µm) spherical-shaped high-grade with chalcocite (Cu2S) composition containing droplets or veinlets metallic (Cu0) dominant forms converter > 1. From value recovery point view, our result show fully crystallized moderate- copper-bearing will efficient significant amount entrained due better milling response compared semi-crystallized ones locking moderate-grain silicate glassy matrix. Laboratory-scale experiments normal (?74 ?m) (?44 high- Cu grade lead increase liberation degree particles. particle fractions (<37 re-grinding ultra-fine originally low-Cu does not particles, but it reduce efficiency process. This study suggests highest rate be obtained at size 80% passing 44 µm which also reached optimal