铜尾矿资源化利用现状:技术、问题和挑战

    Current status of copper tailings resource utilization: technology, problems and challenges

    • 摘要: 铜尾矿作为铜矿选冶过程的主要固体废弃物,年产生量逾亿吨且综合利用率长期处于低位,其大规模堆存不仅侵占土地、引发地质灾害,还导致重金属迁移等环境风险。同时,尾矿中残留的铜等有价组分的利用率严重不足,造成资源浪费。为实现铜尾矿的资源化与无害化,系统分析了铜尾矿资源化利用的技术现状、关键问题及未来发展方向,总结当前主要资源化路径,主要分为四类:有价元素回收(Cu、S、Fe等金属提取)、大宗建材制备(免烧砖/蒸压砖、水泥掺合料、微晶玻璃等)、生态修复材料(土壤改良剂、复垦基质)及井下充填材料。近年来,相关技术取得显著进展:通过生物浸出-浮选联合工艺将铜回收率提升至85%以上;基于多固废协同活化机制制备的混凝土抗压强度达38 MPa;多孔陶瓷材料孔隙率调控精度突破±5%;生态修复方面,胶凝固化技术使填充体强度≥2 MPa。然而,铜尾矿深度利用面临三大瓶颈:①复杂组分(如氧化铝/二氧化硅)分离困难;②伴生有害元素(As/Cd/Pb)脱除效率低;③高值化产品开发不足。未来需重点突破矿物解离-组分分离协同强化技术,开发固废基超高性能混凝土等新型建材,构建“井下充填-建材生产-稀贵金属提取”多级利用模式。但需应对矿物赋存特性解析、浸出过程次生污染控制及政策标准缺失(如再生建材认证体系)等核心挑战,以实现环境效益与资源价值的协同优化,为矿业可持续发展提供重要突破口。

       

      Abstract: Copper tailings, which are primarily generated as solid waste from copper ore dressing and metallurgical processes, exceed 100 million tons in annual production. The comprehensive utilization rate of these tailings has remained low for an extended period, leading to large-scale stockpiling. This not only occupies significant land resources and increases the risk of geological disasters but also poses environmental hazards due to the migration of heavy metals. Additionally, the recovery rate of valuable components, such as copper, within the tailings is insufficient, resulting in substantial resource wastage. To achieve the goals of resource recovery and environmental safety in copper tailings management, this study systematically examines the current technological status, key challenges, and future development directions for their utilization. The primary resource recovery pathways are categorized into four types: extraction of valuable elements (Cu, S, Fe, and other metals), production of construction materials (non-fired bricks, autoclaved bricks, cement additives, and glass-ceramics), development of ecological remediation materials (soil conditioners and reclamation substrates), and application as underground backfill materials. Recent technological progress is demonstrated through multiple achievements: copper recovery rates exceeding 85% through combined bioleaching-flotation processes, concrete with 38 MPa compressive strength developed via multi-solid-waste synergistic activation mechanisms, porous ceramic materials achieving porosity control accuracy within ±5%, and eco-remediation fillers attaining ≥2 MPa strength through gel-solidification techniques. However, the deep utilization of copper tailings faces three major bottlenecks: ① difficulty in separating complex components (Al2O3/SiO2); ② low removal efficiency of associated hazardous elements (As, Cd, Pb); ③ insufficient development of high-value products. Future research priorities are directed toward breakthroughs in mineral dissociation-component separation synergy enhancement technologies, development of solid-waste-based ultra-high-performance concrete, and establishment of multi-stage utilization models integrating underground backfilling, construction material production, and rare/precious metal extraction. Critical challenges requiring resolution include characterization of mineral storage properties, control of secondary pollution during leaching processes, and standardization gaps in policy frameworks (e.g., certification systems for recycled building materials). Addressing these issues is essential for achieving synergistic optimization of environmental benefits and resource value, thereby advancing sustainable development in the mining sector.

       

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