Solvent Extraction and Electro-Wining from Copper Leaching Product of Mawat Sulfide Ore Using Taguchi Method

This study includes solvent extraction and electrowinning of copper from leaching process. The Taguchi method was used to determine the optimum conditions for solvent extraction process of copper ore in sulfuric acid solution. The experimental parameters of solvent extraction were: Extractant mass of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (SDDT), agitation time, and pH value. While, the electrowinning parameters were constant at 25°C temperature, reaction voltage of 2 V, 200 A/dm2 current density, and 2.5 cm distance between electrodes. The following optimum solvent extraction parameters levels were found: Extractant mass of SDDT 100 mg, agitation time 30 min, pH = 8. Under these conditions, the extraction ratio was 97.15%. It was observed that the extraction ratio increases with the increase of SDDT mass. A contacting time of 30 min is considered for ensuring state of equilibrium, and the extraction ratio decreases in a more alkaline medium (pH >8) when the cation of hydrolysis at the aqueous phase was sufficiently disturbed from heating, allowing elements to return to the aqueous phase, thereby decreasing the extraction ratio. After electrowinning is carried out, the results for the experiments were taken to quantitative analysis using the X-ray fluorescence pectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction patterns which showed the presence of pure copper at a purity level of 100%.