Geomechanics.io

  • Free Tools
Sign UpLog In

Geomechanics.io

Geomechanics, Streamlined.

© 2026 Geomechanics.io. All rights reserved.

Geomechanics.io

CMRR-ioGEODB-ioHYDROGEO-ioQCDB-ioFree Tools & CalculatorsBlogLatest Industry News

Industries

MiningConstructionTunnelling

Company

Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyLinkedIn
    Projects
    Op-Ed
    Sustainability

    Copper supply crisis as sulfur management challenge: process options for engineers

    May 5, 2026|

    Reviewed by Joe Ashwell

    Copper supply crisis as sulfur management challenge: process options for engineers

    First reported on MINING.com

    30 Second Briefing

    China’s sudden halt of sulfuric acid exports, after shipping 4.65 million tonnes in 2025 (about 40% from metal smelters), has doubled delivered acid prices to Chile since February and is squeezing heap-leach copper operations in Chile, the DRC and Zambia. Randy Allen argues that for each tonne of copper from sulfide concentrates, 3–3.5 tonnes of sulfuric acid can be generated and monetised, alongside co-products such as ferrous sulfate and iron oxides. He points to pressure oxidation and electrochemical reductive leaching as non-combustion routes to capture copper and fully valorise sulfur, cutting SO₂ emissions and acid mine drainage risks.

    Technical Brief

    • Global sulphuric acid output exceeds 260 Mt/y, with ~60% consumed by phosphate fertiliser production.
    • China built nearly half of global copper smelting capacity, with ~40% of its acid exports from smelters.
    • Closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Russia’s export ban extension, and Turkish/DRC curbs simultaneously constrain sulphur flows.
    • Chile relies on >1 Mt/y of imported Chinese acid specifically for heap-leach copper circuits.
    • Conventional sulphide processing routes push most sulphur into tailings, waste rock and off-gas, driving long-term AMD liabilities.
    • Smelting-based containment still requires scrubbers, lined tailings, water treatment and SO₂-to-H₂SO₄ plants, costing billions in mitigation CAPEX/OPEX.
    • Pressure oxidation and electrochemical reductive leaching are cited as non-combustion options to convert sulphides into saleable sulphur products.
    • Reframing sulphur as a co-product enables polymetallic-style project economics: copper, acid, elemental sulphur, ferrous sulphate, iron oxides and precious metals.

    Our Take

    With heap-leach operations in Chile accounting for roughly 20% of global copper output, the recent doubling of sulfuric acid prices into Chile signals disproportionate margin and volume risk for leach-heavy producers compared with sulphide-concentrate smelter routes elsewhere.

    Given that 60% of global sulfuric acid goes to fertiliser manufacture, any sustained diversion of acid towards copper leaching would likely tighten phosphate fertiliser supply, creating an indirect cost and food-security angle that policymakers in fertiliser‑reliant regions such as the Middle East and parts of Africa will need to factor into critical minerals strategies.

    Geotechnical Software for Modern Teams

    Centralise site data, logs, and lab results with GEODB-io, CMRR-io, and HYDROGEO-io.

    No credit card required.

    • Save and export unlimited calculations
    • Advanced data visualisation
    • Generate professional PDF reports
    • Cloud storage for all your projects

    Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.

    Related Articles

    Mining
    about 5 hours ago

    Weir’s WARMAN MCR² mill circuit pump: reliability and wear-control notes for plant engineers

    Weir has introduced the WARMAN MCR² mill circuit pump as an evolution of its existing WARMAN mill circuit range, targeting mineral processing plants facing more complex ores, higher throughput and harsher slurry conditions. The MCR² is engineered to give operators tighter control over wear behaviour, maintenance intervals and overall asset condition in high-duty grinding circuits. For plant engineers, the new design signals further options to stabilise mill discharge pumping performance as ore hardness and variability increase.

    Tivan’s Walshy’s Wall drilling: subsurface targets and RC plan for mine planners
    Mining
    about 5 hours ago

    Tivan’s Walshy’s Wall drilling: subsurface targets and RC plan for mine planners

    Tivan has secured final regulatory and heritage approvals to start maiden drilling at the Walshy’s Wall target within the Sandover Fluorite Project in the Northern Territory, with a staged programme of 31 reverse circulation holes scheduled from October. Walshy’s Wall, a manganese–barite gossan discovered by Tivan geologists in October 2025, will be tested for subsurface continuity and grade using RC to penetrate the weathered profile efficiently. Early results will guide follow-up step-out drilling and resource definition across the broader fluorite–manganese system.

    Bellevue Gold board refresh: governance and project finance lens for mine teams
    Mining
    about 5 hours ago

    Bellevue Gold board refresh: governance and project finance lens for mine teams

    Bellevue Gold is adding two independent non-executive directors, Debra Counsell and Tanya Rybarczyk, to its board from 23 September 2026 as part of a planned succession process for the Western Australian gold producer. Both bring more than 30 years’ experience spanning mining, resources, finance and infrastructure, signalling a stronger governance and capital markets focus as Bellevue ramps up its namesake underground operation. The appointments point to closer board scrutiny of project financing, risk management and long-term growth options in a volatile gold price environment.

    Related Industries & Products

    Mining

    Geotechnical software solutions for mining operations including CMRR analysis, hydrogeological testing, and data management.

    CMRR-io

    Streamline coal mine roof stability assessments with our cloud-based CMRR software featuring automated calculations, multi-scenario analysis, and collaborative workflows.

    HYDROGEO-io

    Comprehensive hydrogeological testing platform for managing, analysing, and reporting on packer tests, lugeon values, and hydraulic conductivity assessments.

    GEODB-io

    Centralised geotechnical data management solution for storing, accessing, and analysing all your site investigation and material testing data.

    AllGeotechnicalInfrastructureHazardsEnvironmental