KFM has introduced another initiative to support its cost reduction and efficiency improvement program. Recently, the KFM laboratory undertook acid consumption testing for blast-hole samples, run-of-mine stockpile samples, and production-process samples. A total of 1,724 acid leaching tests were completed, providing timely and reliable data to help mining teams identify ore zones with varying acid consumption characteristics and support more precise ore blending and acid consumption management in operations.  

As the relationship between acid consumption and copper recovery varies under different acidity conditions, KFM conducted a series of tests at pH levels of 1.65, 1.60, 1.55, and 1.50 to determine the optimal balance between acid consumption control and leaching performance. The results showed that copper recovery does not necessarily increase as pH decreases. Instead, a pH level of 1.55 delivered the best overall performance, achieving the most favorable combination of average copper recovery and sulfuric acid consumption per tonne of ore.

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