Selective separation and recovery of copper from industrial waste by leaching

minimizing environmental impact is crucial in modern industrial
production. This study focuses on the selective separation and
recovery of copper from industrial waste through hydrometallurgical
and electrolytic methods. Industrial metal waste, particularly from
electronics and manufacturing, contains valuable materials that, if
properly processed, can serve as secondary raw materials. The
research investigates various technological approaches for metal
recycling, emphasizing hydrometallurgical leaching and electrolysis
as effective recovery methods.
The experimental part explores the processing of copper, brass, and
bronze waste through sulfuric acid leaching, enhanced with hydrogen
peroxide as an oxidizing agent, followed by electrolysis. The
efficiency of copper recovery was assessed by atomic absorption
spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray fluorescence
spectrometry. Results demonstrate that leaching at elevated
temperatures (60°C) significantly improves metal dissolution rates,
leading to higher recovery yields.
Electrolytic processing of the leachate successfully produced highpurity copper, confirming the viability of this method for sustainable
metal recycling. The findings highlight the environmental and
economic benefits of recovering metals from industrial waste,
reducing the reliance on primary raw materials, and minimizing
waste generation. Further optimization of process parameters,
including temperature, pH, and electrolyte composition, could
enhance recovery efficiency and metal purity. This study contributes
to the development of sustainable recycling strategies, promoting
circular economy principles and reducing the environmental footprint
of metal production.