FKN PANDA Copper Solvent Extraction Reagents Selection Guide

1. PANDA984N

Reference Grade: LIX984N

Component: Ketoxime + Aldoxime blended extractant with optimized modifiers

Application: Global general‑purpose copper SX‑EW extractant, suitable for mainstream oxide copper heap leaching and agitation leaching operations in DRC, Zambia, Chile and Peru.

Advantages: Balanced extraction capacity and chemical stability, excellent Cu‑Fe selectivity, stable phase separation, low loss during cyclic operation, compatible with large‑scale continuous production.

Limitations: Under extreme low‑pH and ultra‑high acidity feed liquor, its performance is inferior to high‑strength modified aldoxime extractants.

Selection Tip: First choice for regular copper mines with normal acidity and stable mass production.

2. PANDA984N‑C

Reference Grade: LIX984N‑C

Component: Optimized ketoxime‑aldoxime blended formulation

Application: Optimized for large‑scale continuous SX‑EW production lines, adapted for long‑term non‑stop operating conditions.

Advantages: Improved phase separation characteristics and reduced organic entrainment tendency, enhanced operational stability for long‑term steady plant production.

Limitations: Not a crud‑specific formulation; crud formation depends on feed liquor quality; limited performance under extreme high‑acid conditions.

Selection Tip: For continuous production in large plants, targeting lower organic loss and higher operational stability.

3. PANDA5640

Reference Grade: ACORGA M5640

Component: Modified Aldoxime extractant with ester modifiers

Application: Designed for high‑acidity, high‑copper‑loading and low‑temperature operating conditions, widely deployed in high‑acid copper SX production lines in Chile, Peru and worldwide.

Advantages: Robust extraction power, outstanding low‑temperature performance, high copper loading capacity, prominent adaptability to high‑acid environments.

Limitations: Long‑term stability under harsh acidic conditions is lower than ketoxime‑based systems; moderate phase‑separation speed.

Selection Tip: For challenging feed liquor with high acidity, high copper content and low temperature.

4. PANDA973NS

Reference Grade: LIX973NS

Component: Modified aldoxime‑based blend

Application: High‑performance general‑purpose extractant for feed liquor with high copper and high iron impurities, applicable to various hydrometallurgical copper projects across Africa and South America.

Advantages: Provides higher extraction strength than conventional balanced blends while maintaining improved operational stability compared with conventional high‑strength aldoxime systems. Balanced extraction strength and operational stability.

Limitations: No dedicated design for high‑silicon or high‑suspended‑solid feeds; inferior extreme high‑acid tolerance versus modified aldoxime products.

Selection Tip: Upgraded alternative to standard 984N for feed liquor with complex impurities.

5. PANDA84

Reference Grade: LIX84‑I

Component: Pure Ketoxime extractant

Application: Medium‑to‑high pH copper sulphate leach circuits, replacement for legacy plant systems, usable as base stock for extractant blending.

Advantages: Excellent chemical and hydrolytic stability, fast phase separation, extremely low cyclic loss, high tolerance to process fluctuation.

Limitations: Moderate extraction strength; not suitable for low‑pH high‑acidity feed liquor.

Selection Tip: For low reagent consumption targets, legacy plant retrofitting, or as blending base material.

6. PANDA860

Reference Grade: LIX860

Component: Aldoxime‑based extractant

Application: Hydrometallurgical copper circuits with high acidity and high copper loading. Suitable for standalone industrial use or on‑site blending to boost extraction strength.

Advantages: High extraction strength and fast copper loading kinetics, high copper recovery efficiency, fits high‑loading production requirements.

Limitations: Overall stability is less favourable than ketoxime‑based extractants; compatibility and phase‑separation performance shall be verified under site‑specific conditions.

Selection Tip: For boosting overall extraction strength and on‑site formulation fine‑tuning.

7. PANDA54

Reference Grade: LIX54‑100

Component: β‑Diketone extractant

Application: Exclusively for ammoniacal copper leaching systems; not compatible with sulphuric‑acid heap‑leaching SX‑EW processes.

Advantages: Shows good copper selectivity in ammoniacal leaching systems, minimal co‑extraction of ammonia, stable copper recovery in alkaline media.

Limitations: Virtually no extraction capability for sulphuric‑acid feed liquor; highly specialised scope of application.

Selection Tip: Only for ammoniacal leaching processes; must not be used for sulphide/oxide copper hydrometallurgy.

Summary

• Regular heap leaching and stable trouble‑free production: PANDA984N (Flagship Product)

• Continuous operation in large‑scale plants with reduced reagent consumption: PANDA984N‑C

• Complex feed liquor with high iron & high copper for performance upgrade: PANDA973NS

• Challenging high‑acid, low‑temperature, high‑altitude ore processing: PANDA5640

• Legacy plant replacement, ultra‑low consumption and custom blending: PANDA84 / PANDA860

• Specialised ammoniacal leaching process: PANDA54

Copper Extractants Selection Guide – FAQ

Q1. How should copper extractants be selected for oxide copper, secondary sulfide copper, and primary sulfide copper leaching operations?

The selection of copper extractants should be based on the leach solution chemistry, copper mineralogy, impurity profile, and overall SX-EW process design. Oxide copper operations typically require extractants with suitable copper loading capacity and fast kinetics for heap leach solutions, while secondary and primary sulfide systems may require different selectivity and acid tolerance characteristics depending on the leaching method. Technical evaluation normally includes copper extraction isotherms, stripping performance, phase separation behavior, and impurity rejection. Laboratory shake-out tests and McCabe–Thiele analysis are commonly used to confirm the appropriate extractant system before industrial implementation.

Q2. What key parameters should be evaluated when selecting copper extractants for impurity-rich leach solutions?

For copper leach solutions containing iron, manganese, aluminum, cobalt, or nickel, extractant selection should focus on copper selectivity, impurity co-extraction tendency, loading capacity, and stripping efficiency. Important evaluation factors include distribution coefficients, separation factors, equilibrium pH range, and organic phase stability under actual operating conditions. A suitable copper extractant should maximize copper transfer while minimizing the downstream impact of impurities on electrowinning quality. Laboratory testing with representative pregnant leach solution (PLS) is recommended to evaluate extraction behavior, phase disengagement time, and long-term organic stability.

Q3. How do extractant strength, saturation capacity, and stripping kinetics affect low-grade copper heap leach projects?

In low-grade copper heap leach operations, extractant characteristics directly influence copper recovery, solvent circulation requirements, and operating costs. A higher extraction strength can improve copper recovery from dilute solutions, but excessively strong extractants may increase stripping difficulty and organic phase loading risks. Balanced extractant systems provide sufficient copper capacity while maintaining efficient stripping kinetics. Process engineers typically evaluate copper loading isotherms, organic concentration, phase ratio, and stage configuration through laboratory testing to determine the most suitable operating window for continuous SX-EW production.

Q4. How can copper extractant systems balance extraction strength and stripping performance in SX-EW plants?

Copper solvent extraction systems commonly use aldoxime, ketoxime, or blended extractant technologies to achieve a balance between copper loading and stripping efficiency. Aldoxime-based extractants generally provide stronger copper extraction capability, while ketoxime components may improve stripping characteristics and operational flexibility. Blended systems can be optimized according to copper concentration, acidity, impurity levels, and plant configuration. The appropriate formulation helps prevent excessive organic loading, poor phase separation, and reduced copper transfer efficiency. Selection should be verified through laboratory equilibrium tests and pilot-scale evaluation under simulated plant conditions.

Q5. How should copper extractants be selected for copper ores containing high levels of iron or other impurities?

For copper ores with significant iron or complex impurity conditions, extractant selection should prioritize copper selectivity and impurity rejection performance. The objective is to maximize copper recovery while limiting iron transfer into the organic phase and minimizing contamination of the electrolyte used for electrowinning. Evaluation should include extraction selectivity factors, operating pH range, iron loading behavior, and stripping efficiency. In practice, a properly selected copper extractant system can reduce impurity management requirements, improve electrolyte quality, and support stable cathode copper production.

Q6. What differences should be considered when selecting copper extractants for ammonia-based leaching systems?

Ammonia-based copper leaching systems differ significantly from sulfuric acid leaching because copper exists in different complex forms and the solution chemistry operates within a different pH environment. Extractant selection must consider copper-ammonia complex behavior, phase equilibrium, and compatibility with the aqueous chemistry. Compared with conventional acidic sulfate systems, ammonia leach solutions may require specific extractant characteristics to achieve efficient copper transfer and reliable stripping. Laboratory evaluation using actual process liquor is essential to determine extraction kinetics, loading capacity, and chemical stability during continuous operation.

Q7. How can copper extractants support separation of copper from cobalt and nickel in polymetallic deposits?

For copper-cobalt or copper-nickel resources, extractant selection is closely related to the overall hydrometallurgical flowsheet. Copper-selective extractants are often applied first to recover copper while minimizing cobalt and nickel co-extraction. Subsequent separation steps may use additional extractant systems designed for specific metals. The compatibility between copper extractants and downstream purification processes should be evaluated during process development. Key factors include metal selectivity, pH control, stripping conditions, and potential reagent interactions. A well-designed extraction sequence can improve valuable metal recovery and reduce complex downstream treatment requirements.

Q8. How should copper extractants be evaluated for high-acid leach solutions and harsh operating conditions?

High-acid copper leach solutions require extractants with strong chemical stability, resistance to degradation, and reliable phase separation performance. Selection should consider tolerance to free acid concentration, oxidation conditions, temperature variation, and long-term organic phase stability. Extractant performance should be tested under actual operating conditions, including repeated extraction and stripping cycles. Parameters such as copper loading retention, degradation products, viscosity changes, and organic losses are important indicators. Proper selection helps maintain stable SX operation and reduces reagent consumption caused by frequent organic replacement or performance decline.

Q9. How can laboratory testing verify whether a copper extractant is suitable for industrial SX-EW application?

Laboratory testing is a critical step in selecting and optimizing copper extractants before industrial application. Typical evaluations include shake-out tests, extraction and stripping isotherms, phase separation measurements, impurity loading analysis, and McCabe–Thiele simulation. These tests help determine the required extractant concentration, organic-to-aqueous ratio, extraction stages, and stripping conditions. Using representative pregnant leach solution provides more reliable results because actual impurities and solution chemistry can significantly affect performance. The test data can support equipment design, operating parameter selection, and risk reduction during SX-EW project implementation.

Q10. How should copper extractant selection consider environmental, safety, and operational requirements?

Copper extractant selection should include technical performance as well as environmental, safety, and operational considerations. Important factors include chemical stability, organic loss control, handling requirements, flash point characteristics, and compatibility with site regulations. A suitable extractant system should provide reliable copper recovery while supporting safe storage, transportation, and plant operation. Mining companies increasingly evaluate reagent lifecycle performance, including consumption rate, degradation behavior, and waste management requirements. Integrating these factors during reagent selection helps achieve a practical balance between metallurgical performance, operational reliability, and responsible mining practices.