Separation of Copper, Cobalt and Iron in Solution Obtained from Copper Ore

Abstract

The aim of this study is to recover copper, cobalt and iron from roasted copper ore which contains copper, cobalt and iron in soluble forms. The solution was evaporated and enriched by copper and the separation process was applied. Basically, copper was separated from the solution by the process of electrolysis, using Pt electrodes at 50-60ºC. During the electrolysis process, a constant 2.69 V voltage was applied between electrodes. The remaining solution of electrolysis process was evaporated and a mixture of CoSO₄, FeSO₄ and H₂SO₄ was remained. In order to separate cobalt and iron ions from the mixture, 96 % of ethyl alcohol solution was used and pure cobalt was left in a solid form of CoSO₄·7H₂O.