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INTEC Copper

The Intec Copper Process is the original core technology to the whole Intec Process.

A flexible, efficient technology, the Intec Copper Process can extract copper, gold, silver and other metals from a range of mineral feedstocks, including both sulphides and oxides. The technology has successfully demonstrated efficient extraction from chalcopyrite, chalcocite, covellite, bornite, enargite, as well as a range of other minerals.

Operating at atmospheric pressure and low temperature (<100°C), over 99% of the target metals can be extracted from the feedstock. Following purification, the copper can then be directly electrowon from the chloride/bromide electrolyte without the formation of large quantities of highly corrosive chlorine gas. Instead, the anodic energy of the electrowinning cell is primarily captured as a soluble species termed Halex, which is then recycled to the leach to maximise the efficient use of inputs to the process.

The technology has no atmospheric emissions or liquid effluents, and following extraction of the valuable target metals, the solid residues are clean and environmentally stable. As a result, the technology offers considerable environmental advantages for the clean processing of copper-bearing mineral concentrates.

For more information about the technology, please see Downloads.