TYPES OF TECHNOGENIC WASTE GENERATED IN THE COPPER PRODUCTION PROCESS AND THEIR CHEMICAL AND ANALYTICAL COMPOSITION

Abstract

This article investigates the types of technogenic waste generated during copper production, their chemical and analytical composition, and the possibilities for their comprehensive processing. The main objective is to maximize the extraction of valuable components from mineral raw materials and polymetallic ores, as well as to improve production efficiency. The study provides a detailed analysis of the mineralogical characteristics of solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes formed as a result of the activities of the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex, including the beneficiation plant and the copper smelting plant. The composition of beneficiation tailings, slags from smelting furnaces, as well as gases and dust emissions were analyzed. It was established that the waste contains not only copper (from 0.11% to 5.04%), but also valuable metals such as gold, silver, lead, and zinc. The article also substantiates the economic and environmental significance of processing technological waste generated during rhenium and molybdenum production, as well as large volumes of wastewater (up to 100 m³ per hour) formed in sulfuric acid production units. The practical significance of the study lies in the fact that the proposed processing methods contribute to reducing production costs, ensuring the comprehensive utilization of raw materials, and solving environmental problems in industrial regions. The paper also examines the problems of waste accumulated in recent years at the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex as a result of flotation, beneficiation, and metallurgical processes. As a result of the enterprise’s activity, significant amounts of industrial waste have accumulated: flotation tailings amount to approximately 955–960 million tons, while waste from copper smelting plants is estimated at about 11–13 million tons. During flotation-based beneficiation, the waste mainly contains elements such as Cu, Zn, Mo, Fe, Au, and Ag, while the presence of sulfur-rich minerals such as FeS₂, FeS, and Fe₇S₈ leads to the loss of valuable components. One of the main issues is the sulfur content ranging from 1.38% to 10.5% (depending on particle size), as well as SiO₂ content ranging from 65% to 69%. Analysis shows that the iron content in the waste is about 42%, while copper content is 0.891%. Due to the liberation of particle surfaces after grinding, the magnetic susceptibility increases by 0.8%. The conducted studies show that the quartz content in the waste negatively affects the formation of wüstite compounds, and the kinetic effect of lime has been investigated to eliminate this issue. It was found that the optimal ratio of added lime is 1:0.5, which promotes an increase in silicon content and the formation of CaO·SiO₂ compounds. In this process, temperature and time are critical parameters. At 1000°C, proper mixing within the unit is required to ensure complete oxygen interaction and proper process progression. The main objective of waste processing is the removal of technogenic pollutants from the environment, which remains one of the most pressing challenges. The application of modern or low-cost technologies for waste treatment is essential to reduce their negative environmental impact.