Copper Cathode

Copper is a chemical element that is very ductile and an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. Copper ore is mined in several countries and typically contains less than 1% copper. The ore has to undergo a complex refining and processing procedure to produce Copper Cathode which are sheets of high copper concentration of 99.77% - 99.99%. The Copper Cathode are then used as raw materials in the manufacturing of various vital products.

 

There are several different types of ore and the two most common ones used in the production of Copper Cathodes are copper oxide and copper sulfide. Generally copper oxide ores are more abundant closer to the surface of the ground and hence easier to mine. However, copper oxide is considered to be a low grade ore with less concentration of copper. Hence more ores have to be extracted and processed to produce a certain quantity of copper cathode. But the process used, called hydrometallurgy, is less expensive.

 

On the other hand, copper sulfide ores are less abundant and more difficult to mine but they contain a higher concentration of copper. The process used to refine copper sulfide, called pyrometallurgy, is more expensive but the ores yield more copper. Hence there is always a trade off in terms of profitability between the mining, refining and processing of the two types of ores.

 

There are several stages in the manufacture of Copper Cathodes. Raw copper ores are mined and extracted from the ground first and then transported to a processing plant where they undergo several stages of processing to produce copper concentrate. The latter is then transferred to a smelting plant where it undergoes further refinement to produce copper anodes. The anodes in turn undergo the process of electrolysis to produce Copper Cathode sheets.

 

Copper has a very important characteristic in that it can be recycled without losing any of its properties. Hence this makes it a very attractive compound at a time when we are very conscious of the environment and global recyclability and sustainability.