High-Purity Copper Recovery from Copper Sludge via Oxidative Refining Using a FeO-CaO-SiO₂ Slag System

The rapid increase in electronic waste poses a significant environmental issue, with copper-rich residues considered among the most valuable fractions. Extracting copper of high purity from these materials is critical for advancing sustainable resource utilization. In this work, an oxidative refining approach employing a FeO-CaO-SiO₂ slag matrix was investigated to purify copper-bearing sludge. The method facilitated stable slag generation and ensured distinct separation between the metallic phase and slag. Although Fe and Si were removed effectively at relatively low processing temperatures, complete removal of Sn and S occurred only at 1300 °C, with traces of copper oxides persisting in the refined alloy. Overall, the findings suggest that the proposed slag system offers a reliable strategy for producing high-purity copper from secondary sources, underscoring its relevance in sustainable recycling of copper-enriched wastes.