Institute of Integrated Mineral Development — IPKON Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia:

M. V. Rylnikova, Head of a department, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, rylnikova@mail.ru

Magnitogorsk State Technical University, Magnitogorsk, Russia:
E. A. Emelyanenko, Associate Professor, Candidate of Engineering Sciences
E. A. Gorbatova, Head of a Chair, Doctor of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences

Uchalinsky Mining and Processing Integrated Works JSC, Uchaly, Russia:
Yu. R. Yagudina, Head of a research laboratory, Candidate of Engineering Sciences

The deposit of copper–pyrite and copper–zinc ores currently under mining by Uchaly Mining and Processing Plant features a complex structure and uneven distribution of basic mineral. The associate elements are such toxic admixtures as arsenic, antimony and mercury which deteriorate quality of final products and poison the environment if the conventional pyrometallurgical treatment of the copper concentrate is implemented. The article discusses potentiality of modernization of processing flow chart for copper–pyrite ore bearing tennantite. The proposed resource-saving technology is a premise of an environmentally sound low-waste geotechnical system of extraction and treatment of rebellious mineral raw material with the production of copper concentrate of improved quality.
The study has been supported by the Russian Science Foundation, Grant No. 14-37-00050.

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