A review of the beneficiation of copper-cobalt-bearing minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Authors

Michel Lutandula Shengo, Inorganic Chemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of the Sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Likasi Avenue, PO BOX 1825, City of Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Meschac-Bill Kime, Department of Metallurgy, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, PO BOX 17911, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa
Matanda Pascal Mambwe, Economic Geology Unit, Department of Geology, Faculty of the Sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Kasapa Road, PO BOX 1825, City of Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Department of Exploration Geology, Tenke Fungurume Mining S.A., Airport Road, TFM Building, Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Trésor Kilwa Nyembo, Research Centre of Minerals Processing, Higher School of Applied Techniques in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Author ORCID Identifier

Michel Lutandula Shengo 0000-0001-6660-2619

Meschac-Bill Kime 0000-0003-4380-807X

Matanda Pascal Mambwe 0000-0003-0063-9579

Abstract

Copper and cobalt (Cu–Co) are strategic metals for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and nearly 20% of the country's GDP is supported by their exports. At present, the country classifies itself as the leading copper producer in Africa with an output in the region of a million tonnes and possesses nearly 60% of the world's reserves of Co; a metal exclusively exported in the form of salts or semi-finished products. Concentrators play a very important role in the growth of Cu–Co metal production, which is needed in order to meet rapidly growing global demand and to increase government revenues through mining royalties. This article reviews the major process flow sheets and reagent suites in practice at concentrators operated in the DRC for the beneficiation of Cu–Co values from various ore types. The comprehensive compilation of pertinent laboratory and industrial data is intended to provide practising specialists, metallurgists, and academics conducting research on Congolese Cu–Co ores with a single well-detailed reference source. Emphasis is placed on froth flotation as the major technique for the beneficiation of Cu–Co minerals.

Recommended Citation

Shengo, Michel Lutandula; Kime, Meschac-Bill; Mambwe, Matanda Pascal; and Nyembo, Trésor Kilwa (2019) "A review of the beneficiation of copper-cobalt-bearing minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo," Journal of Sustainable Mining: Vol. 18 : Iss. 4 , Article 7.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.46873/2300-3960.1109

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