Keywords
Abstract
This article emphasizes that oxidized and mixed ores are formed as a result of the oxidation of primary sulfide minerals, and that their mineralogical composition is complex and variable. In particular, the occurrence of copper in bound forms in such ores makes their beneficiation difficult. Since the possibility of complete copper recovery using the flotation method is limited, hydrometallurgical and combined methods—especially the “leaching–cementation–flotation” scheme—are considered promising approaches.
In addition, advanced practices for processing oxidized ores at mining and metallurgical enterprises in the USA, Kazakhstan, Zambia, and Russia are analyzed based on global experience. It is demonstrated that these technologies enable high levels of copper recovery even from low-grade ores.
Using the Kalmakyr deposit as an example, the presence of large reserves of oxidized ores, as well as their mineral composition and technological characteristics, have been studied. The research results indicate the necessity of developing new, economically efficient, and environmentally safe technologies for the effective processing of these ores.