A method for extracting copper values from a low grade copper ore feedstock is provided. The method includes (a) providing an ore feedstock of a copper oxide ore; (b) subjecting the ore to at least one process selected from the group consisting of primary crushing processes and secondary crushing processes; (c) subjecting the ore feedstock to high pressure grinding roll crushing, thereby obtaining a crushed ore; (d) subjecting the crushed ore to acid curing, thereby obtaining a cured ore; (e) subjecting the cured ore to vat or heap leaching, thus yielding a leachate; (f) passing the leachate through a first ion exchange resin which is selective to base metals plus copper, thereby removing a portion of the copper values from the leachate and yielding a first loaded resin and a first treated leachate; (g) stripping base metals plus copper values from the first loaded resin with a first stripping solution, thereby yielding a base metals plus copper-loaded stripping solution; (h) selectively extracting copper values from the copper-loaded stripping solution via solvent extraction, thereby obtaining an extract and a raffinate; and (i) crystallizing a copper salt from the extract, thereby obtaining a crystallized copper salt.

The present invention provides a calcium sulphate-based product (e.g. a wall board) comprising gypsum and silicone oil. The product may be produced by drying an aqueous slurry comprising calcined gypsum and the silicone oil. The silicone oil is included in the slurry in an amount greater than 10 wt % which results in a product have greater than 8.5 wt % silicone oil. This improves structural integrity of the wallboard after exposure to elevated temperatures.

The present invention provides a calcium sulphate-based product (e.g. a wall board) comprising gypsum and silicone oil. The product may be produced by drying an aqueous slurry comprising calcined gypsum and the silicone oil. The silicone oil is included in the slurry in an amount greater than 10 wt % which results in a product have greater than 8.5 wt % silicone oil. This improves structural integrity of the wallboard after exposure to elevated temperatures.

A method for production of ammonium phosphate from phosphate rock slurry. The method includes: introducing flue gas containing SO.sub.2 into a phosphate rock slurry, to yield an absorption solution; evaporating waste ammonia water containing 10-20 wt. % ammonia to yield ammonia gas; introducing the ammonia gas into the absorption solution at a temperature of 110-135° C. until a neutralization degree of the absorption solution reaches 1.5-1.6, thus yielding an ammonium phosphate solution and calcium sulfate; separating the calcium sulfate from the ammonium phosphate solution; and introducing the ammonium phosphate solution to a granulator for granulation to yield ammonium phosphate granules; drying and sieving the ammonium phosphate granules, thereby yielding ammonium phosphate.

A method for production of ammonium phosphate from phosphate rock slurry. The method includes: introducing flue gas containing SO.sub.2 into a phosphate rock slurry, to yield an absorption solution; evaporating waste ammonia water containing 10-20 wt. % ammonia to yield ammonia gas; introducing the ammonia gas into the absorption solution at a temperature of 110-135° C. until a neutralization degree of the absorption solution reaches 1.5-1.6, thus yielding an ammonium phosphate solution and calcium sulfate; separating the calcium sulfate from the ammonium phosphate solution; and introducing the ammonium phosphate solution to a granulator for granulation to yield ammonium phosphate granules; drying and sieving the ammonium phosphate granules, thereby yielding ammonium phosphate.

A process for the treatment of thick fine tailings that include constituents of concern (CoCs) and suspended solids is provided. The process includes subjecting the thick fine tailings to treatments including chemical immobilization of the CoCs, polymer flocculation of the suspended solids, and dewatering. The chemical immobilization can include the addition of compounds enabling the insolubilization of the CoCs. Subjecting the thick fine tailings to chemical immobilization and polymer flocculation can facilitate production of a reclamation-ready material, which can enable disposing of the material as part of a permanent aquatic storage structure (PASS).

The invention generally relates to systems with anti-fouling control and methods for controlling fouling within a channel of a plug flow crystallizer. In certain aspects, the invention provides a system that includes a plug flow crystallizer having a channel, one or more heating/cooling elements, each operably associated with a different segment of the channel, and a controller. The controller is operably coupled to the one or more heating/cooling elements and configured to implement a temperature profile within the channel of the plug flow crystallizer that grows crystals in a plug of fluid that flows through a first segment of the channel and dissolves encrust in a second segment of the channel while having minimal impact on crystal growth in the plug of fluid in the second segment of the channel. In certain embodiments, these segments may be cyclically alternated, in that the segment in which crystal grows in one cycle becomes the segment in which crystal dissolves in the next cycle and vice versa, to realize a fully continuous crystallization process.

The objective of the invention is the development of a new process for producing sulfur from phosphogypsum. During this process, the phosphogypsum is mixed with a source of carbon and hydrogen forming a slurry after mixing. This source of carbon and hydrogen is a natural or synthetic organic polymer, as an example that is not limiting, biomass, used tires or plastic, kerogen or tars. The granules undergo a heat treatment (100 to 150° C.) to evaporate the mixing water.

The product obtained undergoes a heat treatment (550 to 900° C.) under a neutral atmosphere and/or partially oxidizing. The generated gases are bubbled in deionized water, sodium hypochlorite solution or a basic aqueous solution which allows the trapping, among others, of organosulfur molecules and the precipitation of sulfur S8. Non-entrapped gases are recovered to extract volatile sulfur products.

The invention relates to a system for neutralizing asbestos, said system comprising a mobile neutralization unit (200) comprising: an asbestos waste sorting module (225), an asbestos grinder (255) and a hot acid bath (250) for rendering asbestos inert.

Preferably, the asbestos waste sorting module comprises: a window with glove boxes; and a conveyor for transporting the asbestos waste in front of the window.

In embodiments, the system comprises a means for containing the atmosphere within the mobile neutralization unit and/or the hot acid bath (250) of the mobile neutralization unit (200) comprises sulfuric acid.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a gypsum fertilizer for blueberries and a method for suppressing blueberry abscission that can suppress abscission of blueberry fruits without adversely affecting the growth of the blueberry fruits, and not only increases the crop yield but also eliminates the need for frequently collecting fallen fruits, thus yielding a major practical effect. The purpose is achieved by a gypsum fertilizer for blueberries containing gypsum having a BSA specific surface area of 15000 cm.sup.2/g or less as a main component, and a method for suppressing blueberry abscission using the gypsum fertilizer.