Process to recover pure copper during purification of zinc sulfate solution

摘要

A process for recovery of copper from a copper residue obtained during purification of a zinc sulfate solution comprises leaching the copper residue in a concentrated sulfuric acid solution in the presence of an oxidant at a temperature of between 60 DEG and 80 DEG C. and separating the solids from the leach solution, electrowinning copper from the leach solution, returning the electrolyte solution to the initial leaching stage to initiate dissolution of the copper residue, and bleeding a portion of the electrolyte solution to reduce the concentration of impurities in the solution.