how does extraction of Copper happens ??

Extraction of Copper from Cuprous Oxide (Cu₂O)

• Coke will reduce Cu₂O as

(From Ellingham diagram)

• The sulphide ores are roasted/smelted to give oxides

• Then, coke can be used for reducing the oxide metallic copper

• In the actual process, the ore is mixed with silica and heated in a reverberatory furnace.

• In the furnace, iron slags off as iron silicate, and copper is formed as copper matte (containing Cu₂S and FeS).

• Copper matte is put in a silica-lined convertor to remove the remaining FeO and FeS present in the matte as slag (FeSiO₃). Also, the same silica is added to the silica-lined convertor. Then, a hot air blast is blown. As a result, the remaining FeS and FeO are converted into iron silicate (FeSiO₃), and Cu₂S is converted into metallic copper.

• Copper is obtained as blister copper (chiplets of Cu)