3.
Copper
• Copper is widely
used in electrical wire & in the
alloys bronze (Cu/Sn) & brass (Cu/Zn)
• Its ores are CuFeS2 (chalcopyrite)
Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 (azurite)
Cu2CO3(OH)2 (malachite)
Pretreating ore: flotation, cyclone
• Flotation is a vital pre-treatment as the
concentration of Cu is
around 0.5% in most chalcopyrite
ores, this process increases the Cu to
around 15% by mass.