Cathode copper

{{Short description|Metallurgical product}} {{about|the metallurgical product|a general discussion on the electrode|Cathode}} '''Cathode copper''' is copper with a purity of 99.99%,<ref name=codcomo>{{Cite web |title=¿Cómo se produce un cátodo de cobre? |url=https://www.codelco.com/nosotros/como-se-produce-un-catodo-de-cobre |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Codelco |language=es}}</ref> and is commonly produced in the form of rectangular copper plates with "ears" for handling.<ref name=cargo/> It is mainly produced via two different methods, one starting with copper oxide minerals and one from copper sulfide minerals.<ref name=codcomo/> Copper sulfides go through a process of comminution and are then typically separated from gangue (and future tailings) by using froth flotation. The resulting copper concentrate is then smelted to produce anode copper which is then electrorefined to obtain cathode copper.<ref name=codcomo/><ref name=gus>{{cite report |last=Lagos |first=Gustavo |author-link=Gustavo Lagos |date=2022-04-20 |title=Descripción básica del procesamiento del cobre de mina. Clase Ejecutiva |trans-title=Basic description of mine copper processing. Business class |url=http://www.gustavolagos.cl/uploads/1/2/4/2/12428079/descripcion_procesamiento_del_cobre_g._lagos__20-4-22.pdf |language=es |website=Gustavo Lagos Cruz-Coke |publisher=Gustavo Lagos |access-date=2025-05-01 }}</ref> Copper oxides are bleached and then processed with solvent extraction and electrowinning.<ref name=codcomo/><ref name=gus/>

Cathode copper is used to produce ingots, billets, cakes and wire rods which are then used to produce copper wire.<ref name=cargo>{{Cite web |title=Copper Cathodes |url=https://cargohandbook.com/Copper_Cathodes |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=CargoHandbook.com}}</ref>

==See also== *List of copper smelters in Chile

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Copper Category:Metallurgy