Leached Copper Refinery Slimes: Copper Dissolved Out with Acid, Steam and Air (Anaconda, Peters 1905)

Refinery slimes still carry about 15 % copper. At Anaconda they were stirred in strong sulphuric acid with steam and air blown in through a Koerting injector until all the copper had dissolved, then filtered, washed and dried, leaving slimes rich in silver and gold for further treatment. Result: leached, copper-free refinery slimes (before leaching about 50 % silver, 0.5 % gold, 15 % copper). Source: Edward D. Peters, Modern Copper Smelting (1905), pp. 602-603. Not given: the leaching time, the composition after leaching. Picture drawn by Youblob. Hot strong acid: goggles, gloves, fume extraction.