LLC “Scientific-Research Center “Gidrometallurgiya”, Saint Petersburg, Russia:

P. V. Zaytsev, Researcher, e-mail: peter.zaytsev@gidrometall.ru
Ya. M. Shneerson, Chief Executive Officer, e-mail: ims@gidrometall.ru

Key lines of development of autoclave hydrometallurgy are described, especially low- and high-temperature processes, oxidation catalysts and chloride addition, processes inclusive fine and ultrafine grinding. It is given a brief overview of the autoclave enterprises practice relative to processing of sulphide copper-bearing raw materials. Hydrometallurgical processing methods of sulphide copper-bearing raw materials has been developed since 1970 for a variety of reasons, including ecological regulation. This result into an active development of a liquid-liquid extraction – electroextraction (SX–EW) process with reference to solutions of the secondary sulphides atmospheric leaching. The following was an active application of autoclave processes to chalcopyrite, pyrite and chalcosine leaching. Use of autoclave processes provides high intensity of leaching, selectivity and complete extraction of valuable components into solution. They are easy to integrate into existing hydrometallurgical facilities on oxidized and secondary copper ores processing. Autoclave-hydrometallurgical method allows effectively convert complex raw materials with compound composition into cathode copper as well as marketable products containing nickel, cobalt, metals of platinum group, gold, silver etc. Selection of a specific technology is determined by the complex of conditions, including mineral composition of raw material, geographical location of deposit, remoteness from the main industrial areas, existence of manufacturing facilities, availability of labour resources etc.

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