Research on the process mineralogy of a high oxidation rate copper-cobalt ore located in Congo（Kinshasa）-Zambia Copper Belt

The process mineralogy of a copper-cobalt mine in Congo（Kinshasa） is studied by comprehensive methods of chemical analysis and scanning electron microscopy, such as the types, relative contents and distribution characteristics of copper-cobalt carrier minerals. The results show that the grades of copper and cobalt, the main valuable elements in the ore, are 2.470% and 0.237% respectively. Cu mainly occurs with malachite, cornetite, and chrysocolla; Co occurs in heterogenite and carrollite as an isomorphic substitute or an independent mineral. Gangue minerals in the ore are mainly quartz, sericite chlorite and so on. Dissemination granularity of malachite is well-distributed, mainly ranging from 0.01 mm to 0.32 mm; dissemination granularity of cornetite is uniformly-distributed, mainly ranging from 0.04 mm to 0.32 mm; dissemination granularity of chalcocite is similar to that of cornetite, mainly ranging from 0.02 mm to 0.32 mm; dissemination granularity of copper-cobalt psilomelane is extensive, mainly ranging from 0.01 mm to 0.32 mm. The copper and cobalt minerals in the raw ore are mostly distributed in irregular granular form, and complex intergrowth relationship exists in the minerals. The Cu in the ore mainly exists in the form of copper oxide, and the theoretical recovery rate of copper oxide concentrate is about 89%; the theoretical recovery rate of cobalt in carrollite is about 12%, and the theoretical recovery rate of cobalt oxide concentrate is about 79%. Based on the process mineralogy research results, it provides reference for the development and utilization of similar types of copper and cobalt resources.