Understanding the chemistry of in-situ copper recovery
Chemical recovery of minerals from underground ore bodies could reduce both the cost of mining and its impact on the landscape
MRIWA research project M0488 led by Dr Laura Kuhar at CSIRO delivers new understanding of the chemical extraction of copper from buried ore deposits.
By reducing surface disruption, in-situ recovery could reduce both the cost of mining and its impact on the landscape, prolonging operation of existing mines or supporting development of deposits too deep for conventional mining technology.
Read the final report for this project, summarising the findings of this research.
Download the MRIWA media release regarding the launch of report 488.
Unreacted chalcopyrite on galena and quartz, from Borieva Mine, Madan (Bulgaria). Photograph supplied for use courtesy of Tania Hidalgo.
Page was last reviewed 6 September 2021