Journal of Minerals & Materials Characterization & Engineering, Vol. 2, No.1, pp53-64, 2003
http://www.jmmce.org, printed in the USA. All rights reserved
53
A Novel Process For Recovery Of Te And Se From Copper Slimes Autoclave
Leach Solution
Shijie Wang, Brad Wesstrom and Jean Fernandez
Phelps Dodge Mining Company
El Paso Operations
850 Hawkins Blvd., El Paso, TX 79915
In pressure oxidation leaching of copper anode slimes, more than 65% of
the tellurium is co-extracted during decopperizing. About 10 – 15% of the
selenium is also dissolved simultaneously by severe leach conditions. Current
operation for the treatment of the leachate is to constantly recirculate the leach
solution through a bed of copper turnings. The tellurium and selenium are
precipitated from the leach liquor as copper telluride and copper selenide and
separated from the solution by filtration. In order to improve the reaction
efficiency and reduce the process cost, viz. minimize the copper addition, cut
retention time, and reduce the energy consumption; a chemical reducing agent is
studied and the cementation process tested in the laboratory. In this paper, the test
results are presented and the process chemistry is discussed.
Keywords: leaching, floatation, selenium, tellurium, copper.
Introduction
During the electrorefining of copper anodes, the insoluble components, anode slimes,
settle to the bottom of the electrolytic cells. Anode slimes almost invariably contain copper,
tellurium, selenium, silver, gold and traces of platinum group metals. In order to recover the
precious metals from slimes, refineries must first complete the separation of copper, tellurium
and selenium prior to refining silver and gold to pure products.
Phelps Dodge Refining Corporation - El Paso, (Figure 1), employs autoclaving for copper
and tellurium removal in the slimes leach process. The autoclave, made of 904L stainless steel, is
operated at a temperature of 150
°
F, a line pressure of 80 psi oxygen and 1.5 to 4 hours of
reaction time for a 5000 pound charge of slimes. The filtrate (leach solution) from the autoclave
is then decanted and pumped into one of two cementation reactors (Figure 2). After the reactor is
full, the solution is pumped to one of two copper chip towers, which are filled with copper chips.
The cementation process is allowed to continue at 200
°
F for 24 hours while continuously
circulating the filtrate. The copper telluride mud is then removed by filtration. The solution from
the reactors/towers, if less than 30 ppm tellurium, is pumped back to the tankhouse after
clarification, as shown in Figure 3. Should the tellurium not be reduced below 30 ppm, the
filtrate is discharged to the Water Treatment Plant for metal recovery.

54 Shijie Wang, Brad Wesstrom and Jean Fernandez Vol. 2, No. 1
Figure 1. Phelps Dodge Refining Corporation – El Paso Works
Figure 2. Cementation Reactors for Tellurium Recovery
1. Reactor; 2. Pump: 3. Copper Chip Tower
1
3
2

Vol. 2, No. 1 Novel Process for Recovery of Te and Se from Copper Slimes 55
Figure 3.
After changes in anode feed from the smelter occurred, the anode slimes showed a
refractory nature requiring severe leaching conditions in the autoclave for decopperizing. This
resulted in some unwanted selenium being simultaneously co-extracted in the leach solution.
Because of the higher concentrations of tellurium and selenium in the feed to the reactors/towers,
the cementation process cost increased due to a significant amount of copper chips being
consumed and extended cementing time needed.
A research project to improve the reaction efficiency and reduce the process cost was
therefore undertaken to treat the high Te/Se content of the autoclave filtrate. In this paper, the
process chemistry is discussed and the experimental results are presented.
Chemistry of Process
In order to investigate the reduction rates of selenium and tellurium from solution, sulfur
dioxide is used as the reducing agent. Based on the phenomena observed and results obtained
from the tests, the process chemistry is discussed.
First, sulfur dioxide reacts with tetravalent selenium in the solution containing 80 g/L
H
2
SO
4
. Electrochemical reduction of tetravalent selenium to elemental selenium can be
expressed by the following equation:
H
2
SeO
3 (aq)
+ 2SO
2 (g)
+ H
2
O
(l)
→ 2H
2
SO
4 (aq)
+ Se
(s)
(1)

56 Shijie Wang, Brad Wesstrom and Jean Fernandez Vol. 2, No. 1
This reaction is likely dominant when the initial concentration of selenium is greater than
1 g/L in solution.
The tellurium, however, can not be reduced significantly at this stage because the rate
constant for tellurium varies as [H
+
]
-2
, indicating much less possibility of reducing tellurium by
sulfur dioxide in sulfuric acid media.
1
Second, there is a disproportionation reaction with the formation of occasionally
voluminous copper powder:
2Cu
+
→ Cu
2+
+ Cu
0
(2)
This reaction is similar to opinions that have been expressed that some of the copper is
formed by decomposition of cuprous to cupric sulfate
2
Cu
2
SO
4
→ CuSO
4
+ Cu (3)
Equation (2) leads to the secondary cementation reaction (around a copper powder grain
3
)
that can be represented by the overall equation:
4Cu + H
2
SeO
3
+ 2H
2
SO
4
→ Cu
2
Se + 2CuSO
4
+ 3H
2
O (4)
Simultaneously, the chemical reactions involved in the conversion of tetravalent and/or
hexavalent telluric acid to copper telluride are:
4
4Cu + H
2
TeO
3
+ 2H
2
SO
4
→ Cu
2
Te + 2CuSO
4
+ 3H
2
O (5)
5Cu + H
6
TeO
6
+ 3H
2
SO
4
→ Cu
2
Te + 3CuSO
4
+ 6H
2
O (6)
The consumption of copper and sulfuric acid is in accord with the reactions given above.
In this study, known amounts of copper chips and sulfuric acid were added during the tests as
noted in the results and discussion.

Vol. 2, No. 1 Novel Process for Recovery of Te and Se from Copper Slimes 57
Laboratory Bench Tests
Laboratory bench tests were conducted on samples of autoclave leach filtrate which the
concentration ranges shown in Table 1 to investigate the reduction rates of selenium and
tellurium in the solution by using sulfur dioxide gas.
Table 1. Concentration of Autoclave Leach Solution
(Test Feed from May 20 to June 19, 2002)
Elements Concentration, g/L
H
2
SO
4
26.8 – 112.0
Cu 68.9 – 98.2
Se 0.197 – 4.00
Te 3.18 – 4.70
The sample was first analyzed for free acid and copper. If the free acid content was lower
than required, according to the reaction equations 4 to 6 above, a calculated volume of sulfuric
acid was added to the solution prior to the test.
The tests were performed in a 2-liter beaker sitting on a hot plate with an overhead mixer
and a temperature control. Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the experimental apparatus.
The sulfur dioxide was introduced to the solution in the reaction beaker through a gas sparger.
After reaction, the solution was filtered, the filtrate volume measured and the solids water
washed. All samples were then submitted for chemical analyses.

58 Shijie Wang, Brad Wesstrom and Jean Fernandez Vol. 2, No. 1
Figure 4. Schematic diagram of the experimental apparatus
Test Results
Reduction of selenium and tellurium was investigated on autoclave filtrate samples by
blowing sulfur dioxide gas through them. In order to obtain adequate reduction kinetics, the acid
concentration during the test was made up to greater than 80g/L sulfuric acid. For the same
reason, the copper concentration was also maintained at above 50 g/L by adding copper chips.
During the study, the solution volume of 1.5 liters and the introduction rate of sulfur dioxide
were kept constant. Very small quantities of copper chips, as a reducing enhancing agent, were
added in the final stage of each test to guarantee the completion of reduction.
The kinetics of reduction of selenium and tellurium in the tests are presented in Figures 5
through 8. Characteristics of precipitates and analytical results of the precipitation of selenium
and tellurium are summarized in Table 2.

Vol. 2, No. 1 Novel Process for Recovery of Te and Se from Copper Slimes 59
0
1
2
3
4
5
0246
Time, hour
Element Content, gpl
Te
Figure 5. The Kinetics of Reduction of Se/Te from Test 1
Se
0
1
2
3
4
5
0246810
Time, hour
Element Content, gpl
Te
Se
Figure 6. The Kenetics of Reduction of Se/Te from Test 2

60 Shijie Wang, Brad Wesstrom and Jean Fernandez Vol. 2, No. 1
0
1
2
3
4
5
02468
Time, hour
Element Content, gpl
Te
Se
Figure 7. The Kinectis of Reduction of Se/Te from Test 3
0
1
2
3
4
5
024681012
Time, hour
Element Content, gpl
Te
Se
Figure 8. The Kinectics of Reduction of Se/Te from Test 4

Vol. 2, No. 1 Novel Process for Recovery of Te and Se from Copper Slimes 61
Table 2. Summary of Bench Test Data and Results
Test #1 #2 #3 #4
Solution Data
Cu Content, g/L
Initial 68.9 90.3 98.2 81.4
Final 57.2 57.8 57.1 62.5
H
2
SO
4
Content, g/L
Initial 26.8 109.5 85.8 112
Final 121 90.8 70.9 97.2
Se Content, g/L
Initial 2.78 4.0 0.46 0.19
Final 0.29 0.01 0.06 0.05
Te Content, g/L
Initial 4.64 3.18 4.7 4.63
Final 0.6 0.01 1.4 0.03
Measurement
Temperature,
0
C
Initial 65 70 80 92
Final 95 95 86 95
Duration, hrs. 6 9 7 11

62 Shijie Wang, Brad Wesstrom and Jean Fernandez Vol. 2, No. 1
Discussion
Reduction of selenium and tellurium:
The reduction rate obtained showed that selenium, especially at an initial concentration of
greater than 1 g/L, precipitated much faster than tellurium.
As shown in Figure 5 the reduction of selenium in sulfuric acid solution was very
significant at the beginning. The concentration of selenium was reduced from 2.78 to 0.74 g/L at
73
0
C and 107 g/L H
2
SO
4
in 1 hour, while the tellurium concentration was only reduced from
4.64 to 4.20 g/L. After 5 hours when the copper concentration was reduced from 68.9 to 47.4
g/L, a total of 20 grams of copper chips was added directly to the solution in the beaker at a
temperature of 92
°
C. The copper chips, added as reducing agent, enhanced the reduction of
tellurium and ended the test in one hour with final selenium and tellurium concentrations of 0.29
g/L and 0.60 g/L, respectively.
As shown in Figure 6 the concentration of selenium in the solution was reduced from 4.0
to 0.7 g/L at 75
°
C in 2 hours, while the tellurium concentration was only slightly reduced from
3.18 to 3.00 g/L. After 6 hours when the copper concentration was reduced from 90.3 to 25.9
g/L, a total of 30 grams of copper chips was added to the beaker. The test was completed at 95
°
C,
9 hours, 81.4 g/L copper and 112.0 g/L sulfuric acid when the final concentration of 10 ppm for
both selenium and tellurium was obtained. The reduction time was significantly reduced to less
than 10 hours compared to 24 or even 48 hours needed in reactors in the plant.
The results obtained showed a possibility of separation of selenium and tellurium by two
stages of filtration in the treatment of autoclave leach solution. In Test 1, for example, an initial
filtration was performed after 3 hours of reduction and a second carried out at the end of the test.
Two precipitates were thereby obtained. Results from SEM/EDAX analysis indicated that the
copper selenide containing 47.78% Cu, 47.56% Se and 4.2% Te could be recycled to acid
pressure leaching for recovery of selenium and the copper telluride; which contains 44.29% Cu,
46.56% Te and 0.95% Se, can be sold on the market.
Effect of temperature on reduction:
Temperature plays an important rule in the process chemistry. Although it did not show a
significant effect on reduction of selenium by blowing sulfur dioxide gas, temperature dominated
the reduction rate of tellurium during the test. As shown in Figure 7 the tellurium concentration
was only slightly reduced from 4.70 to 4.57 g/L in 4 hours when the maximum temperature was
80
°
C. However, there was a period of fast precipitation of tellurium, as shown in Figure 8, when
the temperature was greater than 92
°
C. Tellurium concentration was reduced from 4.63 to 2.13
g/L during the first 4 hours. The results obtained show that the reaction is even more rapid and
greatly preferred at the boiling point during the process.

Vol. 2, No. 1 Novel Process for Recovery of Te and Se from Copper Slimes 63
Effect of agitation on reduction:
Fine copper powder, formed from the disproportionation reaction, was an efficient
precipitant but its use was not sufficient because of its concentration. This resulted in the need to
add copper chips to enhance the reduction rate of tellurium. A coating of copper telluride,
however, built up on the surfaces of the copper powder/chips and rendered them inactive;
indicating that copper could be reused only if the reaction product was continuously removed
from the surfaces. This requirement was met by employing an overhead mixer to agitate the
heated solution and to flush away copper selenide and copper telluride from the copper surfaces
in the reactor.
An effective and efficient new process:
As shown in Table 3, focusing on advantages and disadvantages of current existing and
new processes, it is apparent that an efficient and economic process for treating slimes autoclave
leach solution could be developed in a dedicated tank (Figure 4) with an emphasis on a chemical
reducing agent (sulfur dioxide, SO
2
) and enhanced performance (copper, Cu
0
) for the recovery of
tellurium. The new process that has direct heating in the reactor could cut down the operational
time significantly and reduce the copper consumption tremendously in formations of copper
telluride.
Table 3. Summary of Advantages and Disadvantages of the Current and New
Processes
Advantages Disadvantages
Current Process
1. Existing facility
2. Environmental emission free
1. Low efficiency and high operational
cost
2. Low production rate and affects
autoclaving operation
3. High copper consumption and low
metal value recovery
New Process
1. high efficiency and low operational
cost
2. high production rate
3. very low copper consumption and
high metal value recovery
1. Possible capital needed
2. A scrubber may needed

64 Shijie Wang, Brad Wesstrom and Jean Fernandez Vol. 2, No. 1
Conclusions
Conclusions from the bench tests are as follows:
• Using sulfur dioxide as a reducing agent is an efficient method to remove selenium and
tellurium from autoclave leach solution.
• Selenium and tellurium can be separately recovered from the solution as two by-products:
copper selenide and copper telluride.
• The new process that is developed based on this investigation results could cut down the
operational time significantly and reduce the copper consumption tremendously in
formations of copper selenide and copper telluride.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their appreciation to plant personnel who worked on
this project.
References
1. W.C. Cooper, P.H. Jennings, etc., Tellurium, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1971, p.
34
2. J.H. Schloen and E.M. Elkin, Treatment of Electrolytic Copper Refinery Slimes, Journal
of Metals, May 1950, pp 764 – 777.
3. J. Scott, Electrometallurgy of Copper Refinery Anode Slimes, Matallrugical Transaction
B, Vol 21B, August 1990, pp 629 – 635
4. J.E. Hoffmann, Process and Engineering Considerations in the Pressure Leaching of
Copper Refinery Slimes, EPD Congress 2000, pp397 - 411