Complex Processing of Copper Smelting Slags with Obtaining of Cast Iron Grinding Media and Proppants

Abstract

The Ural region has a large number of metallurgical companies. The extraction of metals from ore is always accompanied by the accumulation of wastes. Currently, most of the wastes are stored in dumps and storage facilities forming technogenic deposits. One such that occupies huge areas is copper slag from the copper-smelting production. According to current estimations, about 2.2 tons of slag is formed for each ton of copper produced and about 24 million tons are produced annually [1]. In general, a copper slag contains about 35-45% iron and 0.4-0.5 copper, which indicates that this is a valuable secondary resource for recycling and utilization [33]. However, more than 80% of copper slag is not utilized, which makes it possible to consider this waste not only as a valuable material, but also as a potential hazard for the environment; it contaminates the soil and water with heavy elements [8]. Currently, only small amounts of the waste are recycled. In addition, technologies do not allow the complete extraction of valuable elements. This offers potential for the development of new highly efficient technologies for processing copper smelting wastes with extraction of valuable elements such as iron (Fe). Improvement of Fe quality requires a decrease in non-ferrous metal content, especially Cu. In recent years, extensive research was directed at the extraction of valuable materials from copper slags by high-temperature firing of copper conglomerates with subsequent magnetic separation or leaching of non-ferrous metals. However, these studies do not allow the complete processing of copper smelting slags. This work studies the production of iron-containing briquettes from copper-smelting slags, and their subsequent processing to obtain valuable products for metallurgical and oil companies.