Review on Comprehensive Recovery Valuable Metals and Utilization of Copper Slag

Copper slag, a waste solid produced in the copper smelting process, is a high-quality secondary resource with huge output. The recycling and utilization of copper slag is of great interest because it avoids the loss of valuable metals and the threat of harmful metals, and saves a lot of natural resources and energy. This paper firstly reviews the main methods for the recovery of valuable metals from copper slag, such as beneficiation method, pyrometallurgical approach, and hydrometallurgical process. Then, based on the physical and chemical properties of copper slag, the applications of copper slag in the field of building materials like concrete, cement, inorganic polymers, etc., and functional materials such as catalyst, glass-ceramic, slag wool, thermal energy storage material, etc., were summarized. Finally, the scientific treatment method of copper slag in future is prospected that green, economic, and environmentally friendly sustainable disposal process is the main theme. [GRAPHICS]