“Uralelektromed” JSC, Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Russia:

S. A. Mastyugin, Chief Technologist

R. S. Voinkov, Master of Metallurgical Shop, e-mail: R.Voinkov@elem.ru

Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, Yekaterinburg, Russia:

S. V. Mamyachenkov, Leading Researcher, Professor of a Chair of Metallurgy of Heavy Non-Ferrous Metals
O. S. Anisimova, Senior Researcher, Assistant Professor of a Chair of Metallurgy of Heavy Non-Ferrous Metals

Technology of processing of slimes of “Uralelectromed” JSC includes a low-temperature sulphatization, drying of copper-less slime and its melting on a silver-gold alloy. Rather low extraction of precious metals, selenium and tellurium and considerable negative impact on environment are the disadvantages of existing flowsheet. In 2010, “Institute “Gipronikel” JSC, together with “Uralelectromed” JSC, developed a new way of copper slime processing, including an autoclave oxidizing sulfuric-acid leaching with the subsequent flotation. This method makes it possible to obtain the following substances after the operational development:
— flotation concentrate, containing not less than 90% of the total amount of precious metals, selenium and tellurium;
— flotation tails, containing a lead-antimony concentrate, which includes tin, bismuth and contains a minimum quantity of noble metals.
For the purpose of completion of this process flowsheet (in particular, extraction of earlier lost lead and antimony from flotation tails), there was offered and developed the way of processing of tails of anode slime flotation with obtaining of marketable products of lead and antimony, which extraction will be profitable, according to this technology. Laboratory researches on two-phase hydrometallurgical processing of tails of copper-electrolytic slimes flotation were carried out for extraction of non-ferrous metals in corresponding solutions and concentration of precious metals in cake. At the first stage, flotation tails were leached by the solution of complexing agent (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid — EDTA) for the purpose of extraction of lead in solution. As a result, there was a success in reaching of selective extraction of lead in solution at the level of 80–88%. At the second stage of flotation tails processing, the concentrated hydrochloric acid was used for lead antimonate opening. Extraction of lead, antimony and arsenic made up 92%, 87% and 99%, respectively. Obtained cake is concentrated by 8 times (according to the content of precious metals) and can be directed on further processing for extraction of these metals.

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