Abstract
—The hydrometallurgical extraction of valuable metals, particularly copper, has long relied on aqueous leaching processes using inorganic acids. While this traditional method is economically viable, it faces significant challenges that limit efficiency, sustainability, and selectivity. This study explores the application of solvometallurgy as an alternative method for copper extraction from chalcopyrite ore, with the aim of avoiding silica gel formation and improving selectivity. Specifically, oxidative and complexing solvoleaching was performed using LIX 984N (a chelating extractant solvent) in combination with ethylene glycol, hydrochloric acid (HCl), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), diluted in kerosene as a replacement for water. The results clearly indicated that the successive addition of ethylene glycol, HCl, and H2O2 significantly enhanced copper recovery, with temperature providing an additional positive effect. The optimum conditions were identified as 2.5 M H2O2 at 45°C with 50% ethylene glycol/LIX 984N-C and 2.5 M HCl, under which 88.11% of Cu was recovered within 150 minutes. Importantly, the process demonstrated selectivity towards iron, with only 1% Fe entrainment, highlighting the effectiveness of the method in minimising impurities. However, selectivity towards cobalt was less favourable, with 12.04% Co entrainment observed in the pregnant leach solution (PLS). Overall, this study demonstrates that solvometallurgy offers a promising alternative to traditional hydrometallurgical methods for copper recovery from chalcopyrite.