Copper SX-EW technology

Heap leaching copper from oxide and secondary sulfide ores has been practiced commercially since the late 1960’s. This

methodology is mostly used for low-grade ores and involves the following basic processing steps: Mining, Crushing, Leaching, Solvent Extraction (SX) and Electrowinning (EW). Depending on ore characteristics other techniques such as Grinding and Agglomeration can also be employed.