With 20th century, copper became important for electric industry.
As the demand for copper increased, new mining-smelting technologies are developed to utilize even lower quality ores.
Location principle for copper and aluminum industries same, but smelting process is different.
In case of aluminum, we saw that process is bauxite(ore)=> alumina (weightloss)=> aluminum(need electricity).
In case of copper, the first stage=concentrating.
The copper ore is soaked in water and mixed with oils. The copper revering matter floats on the top, and is separated out for further processing.
After this “concentrating” stage, barely 2.5% of the original matter remains. And less weight= less transportation cost.
During this stage, sulfur and oxygen impurities are separated from the concentrated copper ore. Thus we get “blister copper”.
Even in the state, the weight loss ratio is significant, therefore smelting is usually done near raw material.
So far we got copper ore => Blister copper.
Although Blister copper is 99% pure metal, but still unsuitable for manufacturing electronic wires, utensils etc. Why? Because it contains impurities of gold, silver, lead and zinc.
Therefore, blister copper is refined via electrolysis method.
The blister copper is immersed in a bath of copper sulphate, electricity is passed and impurities are removed.
Here, the weight loss ratio is extremely small. (~1%). So, there is no economic factor to setup copper refining factories near the raw material.
had significant copper ore reserves and even refineries.
But governments nationalized those refineries= they became loss making white elephants just like our Air India.
In United States, many copper refineries were closed down due to increased competition from foreign refiners, higher cost of electricity, increased costs associated with legal requirements to cleanup sulphur dioxide emission etc.
Ore: from Malanjkhand-Balaghat region of Madhya Pradesh.
HINDALCO (Aditya Birla) @Dahej in Bharuch district of Gujarat.
From the Copper refining process, by products can be used for making phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid. How?
Same Sulphuric acid + Rock Phosphate*==>Phosphoric Acid. Further it can be used for making fertilizers.
Hence, such acid industries are located in the vicinity of Copper refineries.
plant @Dahej in Bharuch district of Gujarat.
From Copper refining, they even extract the impurities of pure gold, silver and selenium, platinum and palladium- which are sold separately.
Another favorable factor: Dahej port just 45 kms away. Helps exporting sulphuric acid.
But in 2013, State pollution board ordered them to close down after emission of sulphur dioxide gas = people in the area complained of suffocation, and burning sensation in the eye.
Matter went to SC, while Sterlite denies emissions from the plant are dangerously high. This plant produces more than half of India’s total refined copper.
Special copper alloys are still imported. Because we don’t have technology to produce them locally. E.g. Beryllium copper,.
Mining & smelting technology is obsolate. Causes substantial air pollution because sulphur dioxide emission.
Still don’t have technology for downstream copper products e.g. copper tubes for refrigeration/AC etc. majority of them still imported.
Still don’t have technology for complete recovery of precious metals such as Cobalt, Nickel etc from copper concentration.
Manpower requirement per tonne of finished copper=very high compared to developed countries.
There is huge gap between demand and supply. Almost 70% copper is imported.
There is no smelter @Malanjkhand (MP). The concentrate has to be transported to Khetri (Rajasthan). =cost of production increases.
Overall, Indian copper ore is average quality, hence mining/refining is a costly because copper yield is low.
it runs on the principle that certain minerals have an affinity for certain oils.
Hence the ore is mixed with water, oil and chemicals.
The mineral particles attach with oil bubbles and float on the surface.
The foam (containing mineral particles) is skimmed off.
Concentration stage: procedure involves significant weight loss=> carried out near mining site.
Refining stage: require lot of electricity=> done near large thermal plants /hydroelectric sites.
India doesn’t have sufficient ores of Lead/Zinc. So majority of our requirement met through imports.
Rajasthan Zinc @Debari: ore comes from Rajpur-Dariba mines + [email protected]Chanderia: ore comes from Bhilwara.
In the next article, we’ll look at the geographical factors responsible for the location of Petroleum Refineries and synthetic textile industry.
Its really helpful..no need to search for so much buks..
Its really helpful..no need to search gor so much buks..