Solvent extraction of Cu, Mo, V, and U from leach solutions of copper ore and flotation tailings

Flotation tailings from copper production are deposits of copper and other valuable metals, such as Mo, V and U. New hydrometallurgical technologies are more economical and open up new possibilities for metal recovery. This work presents results of the study on the extraction of copper by mixed extractant consisting p-toluidine dissolved in toluene. The possibility of simultaneous liquid–liquid extraction of molybdenum and vanadium was examined. D2EHPA solutions was used as extractant, and recovery of individual elements compared for the representative samples of ore and copper flotation tailings. Radiometric methods were applied for process optimization.