Publication at Faculty of Science |
2011
Abstract
A set of leaching experiments was performed on copper smelting slag from the Zambian Copperbelt to assess the effect of the fine-grained fraction generated by sample crushing. A higher proportion of fine dust particles generally led to greater leaching of Cu, Co and Zn.
The leaching behaviour of the slag was strongly pH-dependent. The greater leachability of Cu and Co under acidic conditions suggests a risk of their mobilisation in acidic soils in the Copperbelt area.