Froth flotation cells to concentrate copper and nickel sulfide minerals, Falconbridge, Ontario. The modern froth flotation process was independently invented the early 1900s in Australia by C.V Potter and around the same time by G. D. Delprat.
The most common ore used in the copper extraction is Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), also recognized as Copper Pyrites and other such sulfides. The proportion of copper in the real ore is too limited for straightforward copper extraction to be feasible. The concentration of ore is required, and the Froth Flotation method is used for this process.
Copper Mining: The commonest ore used in the extraction of copper is Chalcopyrite (CuFeS 2) also known as Copper Pyrites and other such sulphides. The percentage of copper in the actual ore is too low for direct extraction of copper to be viable. The concentration of ore is required and it is done by the Froth Flotation method.
Chalcopyrite (also known as copper pyrites) and similar sulfide ores are the commonest ores of copper. The ores typically contain low percentages of copper and have to be concentrated before refining (e.g., via froth flotation). Figure 1: Chalcopyrite extracted from Zacatecas, Mexico. from Rob Lavinsky (iRocks.com) under a CC-BY-SA-3.0 license.
Chalcopyrite (also known as copper pyrites) and similar sulphide ores are the commonest ores of copper. The ores typically contain low percentages of copper and have to be concentrated by, for example, froth flotation before refining. Note: You will find a brief description of froth flotation on the introduction to metal extraction page.
Extraction of copper from copper pyrites (CuFeS2) Copper is extracted from its principal ore copper pyrites (CuFeS 2). The ore is concentrated by froth flotation process. The concentrated ore is roasted in a reverberatory furnace when the following reactions occur.
The extraction process involves the following steps: (i) Condensation of ore: Only 2≈3% Copper (Cu) is present in copper pyrites (CuFeS 2). After concentrating it by oil-froth floatation process, the amount of Cu will be 20≈30%. copper pyrites) and similar sulphide ores are the commonest ores of copper.