Environmental and Socioeconomic Impact of Copper Slag-A Review

Copper slag is generated when copper and nickel ores are recovered from their parent ores using a pyrometallurgical process, and these ores usually contain other elements which include iron, cobalt, silica, and alumina. Slag is a major problem in the metallurgical industries as it is dumped into heaps which have accumulated into millions of tons over the years. Moreover, they pose a danger to the environment as they occupy vacant land (space problems). Over the past few years, studies have been conducted to investigate the copper slag-producing outlets to learn their behavior, as well as properties of slag, to have the knowledge of how to better reuse and recycle copper slag. This review article provides the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of slag, as well as a characterization of copper slag, with the aim of reusing and recycling the slag to benefit the environment and economy. Recycling methods are considered an attractive technological pathway for reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as promoting the concept of circular economy through the utilization of waste. These metal elements have value depending on their characteristics; hence, copper slag is considered as a secondary source of valuable metals. Some of the pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes to consider are physical separation, magnetic separation, flotation, leaching, and direct reduction roasting of iron (DRI). Some of the possible metals that can be recovered from the copper slag include Cu, Fe, Ni, Co, and Ag (precious metals).

Automated summary

Copper slag is a byproduct of pyrometallurgical processes used to extract copper and nickel from their ores, and has been a major concern in metallurgical industries. Research has focused on finding ways to reuse and recycle copper slag in order to reduce waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and promote the concept of circular economy. Recycling methods for copper slag include physical separation, magnetic separation, flotation, leaching, and direct reduction roasting of iron, with potential recovery of valuable metals such as Cu, Fe, Ni, Co, and Ag.