Optimization of Sustainable Copper Leaching Using Glycine and Oxidizing Agents in an Alkaline Medium
The increasing global demand for copper has driven the search for more efficient and sustainable extraction methods, particularly due to the environmental concerns associated with conventional processes. This study investigated the leaching of copper minerals MC (Cu<sub>2</sub>O) and mal...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Metals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/6/617 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849431658726424576 |
|---|---|
| author | Jesús I. Martínez Aislinn M. Teja Martín Reyes Norman Toro Gabriel Cisneros Uriel M. Flores Miguel Pérez Labra Gustavo Urbano Julio C. Juarez |
| author_facet | Jesús I. Martínez Aislinn M. Teja Martín Reyes Norman Toro Gabriel Cisneros Uriel M. Flores Miguel Pérez Labra Gustavo Urbano Julio C. Juarez |
| author_sort | Jesús I. Martínez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The increasing global demand for copper has driven the search for more efficient and sustainable extraction methods, particularly due to the environmental concerns associated with conventional processes. This study investigated the leaching of copper minerals MC (Cu<sub>2</sub>O) and malachite (Cu<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>) using glycine as an organic ligand in an alkaline medium, and evaluated the efficiency of hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) and ozone (O<sub>3</sub>) as oxidizing agents. Chemical and mineralogical characterization using XRD, XRF, ICP, and SEM confirmed the predominance of MC and malachite, along with secondary phases such as hematite and calcite. Leaching experiments were carried out by varying glycine and oxidant concentrations at pH 10, with a reaction time of 240 min, agitation at 800 min<sup>−1</sup>, a solution volume of 300 mL, and a mineral sample concentration of 0.33 g·L<sup>−1</sup>. The results showed that O<sub>3</sub> exhibited low efficiency due to its limited solubility, whereas H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> achieved dissolution rates of 69.7% for MC in 150 min and 96.3% for MMin just 60 min. The glycine-H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> system optimized reaction time by 84% compared to conventional methods, emerging as a sustainable alternative due to the low toxicity and biodegradability of glycine. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a6db0c8061d84db4a2e376e716611e58 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4701 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Metals |
| spelling | doaj-art-a6db0c8061d84db4a2e376e716611e582025-08-20T03:27:35ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012025-05-0115661710.3390/met15060617Optimization of Sustainable Copper Leaching Using Glycine and Oxidizing Agents in an Alkaline MediumJesús I. Martínez0Aislinn M. Teja1Martín Reyes2Norman Toro3Gabriel Cisneros4Uriel M. Flores5Miguel Pérez Labra6Gustavo Urbano7Julio C. Juarez8Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca de Soto 42180, MexicoDirección de Laboratorios, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo (UAEH), Pachuca de Soto 42180, MexicoÁrea Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca de Soto 42180, MexicoFaculty of Engineering and Architecture, Universidad Arturo Prat, Iquique C.P. 1110939, ChileÁrea Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca de Soto 42180, MexicoÁrea de Electromecánica Industrial, Universidad Tecnológica de Tulancingo, Tulancingo 43642, MexicoÁrea Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca de Soto 42180, MexicoÁrea Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca de Soto 42180, MexicoÁrea Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca de Soto 42180, MexicoThe increasing global demand for copper has driven the search for more efficient and sustainable extraction methods, particularly due to the environmental concerns associated with conventional processes. This study investigated the leaching of copper minerals MC (Cu<sub>2</sub>O) and malachite (Cu<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>) using glycine as an organic ligand in an alkaline medium, and evaluated the efficiency of hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) and ozone (O<sub>3</sub>) as oxidizing agents. Chemical and mineralogical characterization using XRD, XRF, ICP, and SEM confirmed the predominance of MC and malachite, along with secondary phases such as hematite and calcite. Leaching experiments were carried out by varying glycine and oxidant concentrations at pH 10, with a reaction time of 240 min, agitation at 800 min<sup>−1</sup>, a solution volume of 300 mL, and a mineral sample concentration of 0.33 g·L<sup>−1</sup>. The results showed that O<sub>3</sub> exhibited low efficiency due to its limited solubility, whereas H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> achieved dissolution rates of 69.7% for MC in 150 min and 96.3% for MMin just 60 min. The glycine-H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> system optimized reaction time by 84% compared to conventional methods, emerging as a sustainable alternative due to the low toxicity and biodegradability of glycine.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/6/617selective leachingsustainable hydrometallurgical processesbase metalsoxidizing agents |
| spellingShingle | Jesús I. Martínez Aislinn M. Teja Martín Reyes Norman Toro Gabriel Cisneros Uriel M. Flores Miguel Pérez Labra Gustavo Urbano Julio C. Juarez Optimization of Sustainable Copper Leaching Using Glycine and Oxidizing Agents in an Alkaline Medium Metals selective leaching sustainable hydrometallurgical processes base metals oxidizing agents |
| title | Optimization of Sustainable Copper Leaching Using Glycine and Oxidizing Agents in an Alkaline Medium |
| title_full | Optimization of Sustainable Copper Leaching Using Glycine and Oxidizing Agents in an Alkaline Medium |
| title_fullStr | Optimization of Sustainable Copper Leaching Using Glycine and Oxidizing Agents in an Alkaline Medium |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimization of Sustainable Copper Leaching Using Glycine and Oxidizing Agents in an Alkaline Medium |
| title_short | Optimization of Sustainable Copper Leaching Using Glycine and Oxidizing Agents in an Alkaline Medium |
| title_sort | optimization of sustainable copper leaching using glycine and oxidizing agents in an alkaline medium |
| topic | selective leaching sustainable hydrometallurgical processes base metals oxidizing agents |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/6/617 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jesusimartinez optimizationofsustainablecopperleachingusingglycineandoxidizingagentsinanalkalinemedium AT aislinnmteja optimizationofsustainablecopperleachingusingglycineandoxidizingagentsinanalkalinemedium AT martinreyes optimizationofsustainablecopperleachingusingglycineandoxidizingagentsinanalkalinemedium AT normantoro optimizationofsustainablecopperleachingusingglycineandoxidizingagentsinanalkalinemedium AT gabrielcisneros optimizationofsustainablecopperleachingusingglycineandoxidizingagentsinanalkalinemedium AT urielmflores optimizationofsustainablecopperleachingusingglycineandoxidizingagentsinanalkalinemedium AT miguelperezlabra optimizationofsustainablecopperleachingusingglycineandoxidizingagentsinanalkalinemedium AT gustavourbano optimizationofsustainablecopperleachingusingglycineandoxidizingagentsinanalkalinemedium AT juliocjuarez optimizationofsustainablecopperleachingusingglycineandoxidizingagentsinanalkalinemedium |