Copper 2007 - Cu2007 - Volume 5- Electrorefining & Electrowinning

Electrometallurgical refining of copper plays a significant role in the production of high purity copper metal and in the recycling of copper. Once again this importance is reflected in the electrorefining papers presented in the Copper 2007-Cobre 2007 Conference. A comprehensive survey of the industry indicates the continued adoption of permanent cathode technology, the use of anode preparation machines and polymer concrete cells, and the application of electrode handling automation and more advanced wireless process control. Project activity in copper electrorefining continues at a strong pace, with several existing facilities being modernized and/or expanded (notably in Japan and China) and new greenfields refineries being proposed (notably in China). The many industrial refining papers in this volume are complemented by a suite of strong fundamental presentations which discuss reagents, cathode quality and refining process modeling. A significant percentage of the world's cathode copper is produced by the leach-solvent extraction-electrowinning processing route. Another comprehensive survey of the copper EW industry indicates the continued adoption of automated electrode handling, permanent cathode technology, larger electrode sizes and higher current densities. Overall these trends have further resulted in improved tank house productivities and improved electrowon cathode purity. Project activity in copper electrownning greenfields projects is centered on central Africa, in particular Zambia and the DRC. Like the refining papers in this volume the many industrial manuscripts are complemented by a collection of fundamental presentations that discuss modeling and cathode quality. Overall, the 49 electrorefining and electrowinning papers of Copper 2007-Cobre 2007 provide a valuable record of the present status of the industry and summarize the research and development work being carried out in support of the industry.