Low-energy efficient copper extraction

Speaker: Dr Eric O Ansah

Abstract: Copper is a critical metal for the transition to a low-carbon economy, and its demand is projected to quadruple to meet the Paris Agreement's CO2 emission reduction goals. The increasing scarcity of high-grade copper ores poses a significant challenge in meeting this rising demand. Traditional processing methods for low-grade copper sulfides, such as chalcopyrite, are often water-intensive and generate substantial waste. This study introduces a novel, energy-efficient method for extracting copper from chalcopyrite using saline brine.

Bio: Eric O Ansah works as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Sustainable Minerals Institute's WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre. He is currently working in the MIWATCH group to apply his expertise in Geochemistry and Hydrometallurgy for metal extraction from mine waste. Eric has worked in metallurgical and geochemical research, plant operations, translation of research to industrial start-up and technology development. Some of his projects and studies involved copper, gold, silver, cobalt, uranium, and REE.