Solid Waste Characteristic Identification of Copper-Containing Materials with a Variety of Techniques

The samples of imported copper concentrates were prepared separately according to the different physical properties. The X-ray fluorescence spectrum, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were applied to analyze the chemical composition and phase composition of the samples. The results were compared with the characteristic parameters of copper concentrate and a variety of copper-containing solid waste. The solid waste characteristic of copper-containing materials was identified. The results show that the physical properties and chemical composition of the black cargo were relatively uniform, and the phases were mainly composed of chalcopyrite, pyrite and quartz, which were consistent with those of the copper concentrate. The physical properties of the gray-green cargo were not uniform, the chemical composition at different locations was quite different, and the phase composition was complex; therefore the gray-green cargo was composed of solid wastes generated during hydrometallurgy of copper bearing wastes, such as copper slags.