Integrated Hydrometallurgical Strategies for the Valorization of Technogenic Solutions and Waste in Copper Production

Abstract

This study investigates the efficiency of extracting valuable and rare metals from technogenic solutions and mother liquors generated at the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine (Almalyk MMC). Using methods of ionic flotation and selective carbonate-based precipitation, the research establishes optimal parameters for recovering Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Molybdenum (Mo), and rare elements like Dysprosium (Dy) and Tellurium (Te). Results indicate that ionic flotation using sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC) achieves copper recovery rates of 98.6–99.5%, while thermodynamic modelling via potential-pH (E-pH) diagrams identifies specific zones for rare metal stability. The findings provide a pathway for industrial decarbonization and secondary resource utilisation, transforming environmental liabilities into economic assets.