IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,612,677
Granted Patent B2
US 12,612,677 · App. 17/919,912 · Granted Apr 28, 2026

Equipment and method for leaching copper, and method for producing electrolytic copper using said equipment and method

Inventors: Akira Miura (Hitachi, JP); Ronny Winarko (Vancouver, CA); Wenying Liu (Vancouver, CA)
Assignee: JX ADVANCED METALS CORPORATION
C22B3/02C22B3/08C22B15/0071
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,612,677
App. No.
17/919,912
Granted
Apr 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a method for efficiently promoting a leaching reaction of copper. Equipment for leaching copper includes a reactor for leaching reaction and a controller for oxidation-reduction potential. The reactor is configured to be provided with a leaching solution containing iodine and iron. The reactor is configured to be capable of being tightly sealed during the leaching reaction. The controller for oxidation-reduction potential is configured so that, during the leaching reaction, the oxidation-reduction potential of the leaching solution can be maintained at 500 mV (based on Ag/AgCl reference) or higher.

Claims (33)

1 . Equipment for leaching copper, the equipment comprising a reactor for a leaching reaction and an oxidation-reduction potential controller,

the reactor being configured to be provided with a leaching solution containing iodine and iron and being configured to be capable of being tightly sealed during the leaching reaction,

the oxidation-reduction potential controller configured to control an oxidation-reduction potential of the leaching solution during the leaching reaction to 500 mV or higher, based on Ag/AgCl reference, by controlling an amount of oxidizing agent supplied to the reactor,

wherein the leaching solution consists of a source of iron, a source of iodine, and optionally an oxidizing agent and/or a pH adjuster,

wherein the source of iron is one or more chemicals selected from the group consisting of iron sulfate n-hydrate (Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ·nH 2 O), iron (II) sulfate and iron (III) sulfate,

wherein the source of iodine is one or more chemicals selected from the group consisting of elemental iodine molecule, and iodide,

wherein the oxidizing agent is potassium permanganate, and

wherein the pH adjuster is one or more chemicals selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), chloric acid (HCl), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and potassium hydroxide (KOH).

2 . The equipment of claim 1 , the equipment further comprising a pH controller, the pH controller being configured so that pH of the leaching solution can be controlled within a range from 1.0 to 2.0.

3 . The equipment of claim 1 , the reactor comprising a lid that is made from PTFE.

4 . The equipment of claim 2 , the reactor comprising a lid that is made from PTFE.

5 . The equipment of claim 1 , wherein the oxidation-reduction potential controller is configured to control the oxidation-reduction potential of the leaching solution during the leaching reaction to 540 mV or higher, based on Ag/AgCl reference, by controlling the amount of oxidizing agent supplied to the reactor.

6 . A method for leaching copper with use of the equipment of claim 1 , the method comprising:

introducing a substance containing copper and the leaching solution into the reactor; and

proceeding the leaching reaction

wherein the proceeding the leaching reaction includes proceeding the leaching reaction while the reactor is tightly sealed, and

wherein the proceeding the leaching reaction includes maintaining the oxidation-reduction potential of the leaching solution at 500 mV or higher, based on Ag/AgCl reference.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the proceeding the leaching reaction includes proceeding the leaching reaction under conditions of pH within a range from 1.0 to 2.0.

8 . A method for leaching copper with use of the equipment of claim 2 , the method comprising:

introducing a substance containing copper and the leaching solution into the reactor; and

proceeding the leaching reaction

wherein the proceeding the leaching reaction includes proceeding the leaching reaction while the reactor is tightly sealed, and

wherein the proceeding the leaching reaction includes maintaining the oxidation-reduction potential of the leaching solution at 500 mV or higher, based on Ag/AgCl reference.

9 . A method for leaching copper with use of the equipment of claim 3 , the method comprising:

introducing a substance containing copper and the leaching solution into the reactor; and

proceeding the leaching reaction

wherein the proceeding the leaching reaction includes proceeding the leaching reaction while the reactor is tightly sealed, and

wherein the proceeding the leaching reaction includes maintaining the oxidation-reduction potential of the leaching solution at 500 mV or higher, based on Ag/AgCl reference.

10 . A method for leaching copper with use of the equipment of claim 4 , the method comprising:

introducing a substance containing copper and the leaching solution into the reactor; and

proceeding the leaching reaction

wherein the proceeding the leaching reaction includes proceeding the leaching reaction while the reactor is tightly sealed, and

wherein the proceeding the leaching reaction includes maintaining the oxidation-reduction potential of the leaching solution at 500 mV or higher, based on Ag/AgCl reference.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 25, 2026
From: JX METALS CORPORATION
To: JX ADVANCED METALS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 075248/0926 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 25, 2026
From: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
To: JX METALS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 075249/0131 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2022
From: MIURA, AKIRA; WINARKO, RONNY; LIU, WENYING
To: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 061609/0179 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2020-075000 · Apr 20, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230235426A1 · Jul 27, 2023
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