Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, Ekaterinburg, Russia:
S. S. Naboychenko, Head of a Chair of Metallurgy of Heavy Non-Ferrous Metals, phone: +7 (343) 375-48-93

Due to the deterioration of the quality of raw materials, escalation of environmental problems of copper production and its modernization necessity, there increases the urgency of analysis of application possibility of hydrometallurgical technologies, including autoclave process usage, for theprocessing of cupriferous raw materials. Taking into account their compactness, autoclave technologies are especially convenient for the production modernization and its capacity increasing, especially because they help to reduce the emissions of sulfur-containing gases into environment. Integration of autoclave processes in copper production seems to be one of the “engines”, which, together with autogenous processes, will significantly improve the competitiveness of Russian copper-smelting companies in the global market. Examples of efficiency of autoclave technologies during the production of nickel, cobalt, zinc and gold in Russian and foreign practice are provided. There are considered the autoclave technologies, which are the most prepared for technoeconomic studies, and are based on co-operation with the existing production: modification of recycle middlings (dust, sludge, rich slag) and the solutions, remained from the technologies using H₂SO4 (removal of arsenic); copper powder production by autoclave method; selective dezincification of flotation concentrates. Testing of advanced technologies in closed cycle is required (processing of lowgrade secondary raw material, pressure leaching of zinc and copper concentrates, air conditioning of copper concentrates). Construction of laboratory-scale autoclave plants are required together with pilot plants and target training of experts, engineers and designers.

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