BigPatents India

A process for the extraction of copper from a sulphide copper ore or concentrate, comprising the steps of : leaching the ore or concentrate in a first leaching step with an acidic chloride solution such as herein described to produce a first copper solution and an insoluble basis copper salt; separating, such as herein described the first copper solution and the basis copper salt; leaching the basis copper salt in a second leaching step with an acidic sulphate solution to dissolve the copper salt to produce a second copper solution and a solid residue; and subjecting the first and second copper solutions to solvent extraction with an organic extractant such as herein described to produce concentrated copper solution for electrowinning of copper therefrom