Copper Mining and Processing: Processing Copper Ores,
Copper processing is a complicated process that begins with mining of the ore (less than 1% copper) and ends with sheets of 99.99% pure copper called cathodes, which will ultimately be made into products for everyday use.The most common types of ore, copper oxide and copper sulfide, undergo two different processes, hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy, respectively, due to the different,Morenci Copper Mine, Arizona - Mining Technology | Mining,,Morenci is the largest copper producer in North America and remains a major contributor to Phelps’s copper output, which is second only to that of Chile’s Codelco. In 1986, Phelps Dodge Morenci was established as a partnership between Phelps Dodge Mining Company (72%) and Sumitomo Metal Mining Arizona Inc.Copper Mining and Extraction Sulfide Ores,Stage 1: Crushing and grinding The ore from the mine contains about 2% copper. To get at the copper the first stage is crushing in huge cylindrical ball mills. Ball mills crush the ore into a fine powder. (Courtesy of Rio Tinto.) Stage 2: Froth flotation,,,
