The copper

It is Jules Cornet that, after only one expedition in 1892, had the genius to conceive the big features of the geology of the Katanga. He/it signalled several copper layers imports. These were the subject of small exploitations by our ancestors long before the colonial time. Remarkable works on geology and the mineralogy of the province katangaise have also been achieved by professor Buttgenbach who stayed in the Katanga of 1902 to 1904.

Some ulterior research showed that the Katanga conceals two types of layers. The some, very numerous, are stratiform (disposed in layers) and contain the copper and the cobalt. The other, rarer, are filoniens and conceal the copper, zinc and lead. The first are localized in a set of very determined rocks, says "bundle of the Mines". The second are in a level says "chalky of Kakontwe."

In depth, in the non altered zone, the layers are sulphurized. The sulphurized minéralisation presents itself as venules, impregnations and spots. Ores the more répendus is the chalcosine (sulphide of copper), of gray color, the golden hue chalcopyrite and the bornite of color stuffs pigeon (that are double sulphides of copper and iron).

Closer to the surface, the layers have been altered and are oxidized. The oxidized ores present themselves in impregnations, concretions and sealers in the sedimentary lands. The most widespread mineralogical species are the malachite (carbonate hydrated of copper, green color) and the chrysocolle (belu-green color copper silicate). One also meets the cuprite as well as of oxidized numerous other varieties.

Before can be treated metallurgically, ores must be concentrated. In the big lines, the oxidized extracts are submitted to lixiviation then (dissolution to the sulphuric acid). The gotten solution is submitted to an electrolysis that permits to get the metallic copper in cathodes that

subsequently will be refined and streams in the shape of ingots merchants. To be able to follow the same metallurgic process, the sulphurized extracts are first charred in ovens fluo-solid that transforms the sulphides in sulphates. Sulphurized some extracts are treated however by thermal way. The fusion produces a matte that is converted then in raw copper, which must be refined again electrolytically.

The Gecomin occupies a substantial place among the producers of copper of the world. The main cleared of our copper is the European common market. The Gecomin also sells some in the Scandinavian countries and in extrème-Orient, as well as in other countries in weaker proportions.

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