Summary for copper ore titration Discussion
Copper ore titration is presented as a practical option for determining copper content, especially when the metal concentration is high. In the thread, walichupa mpundu asks how to determine the percentage of copper in ore using a titration method. Ted Mooney replies that he is not an assayer, but notes that both 911Metallurgist and Metrohm suggest iodometric titration methods, implying this is a recognized approach. An older answer advises against relying on AAS for copper ore analysis, saying that while AAS is a good analytical tool, higher-concentration samples require careful selection of working range and wavelength, and dilution can introduce positive error. That answer recommends titrimetric methods instead, stating they are most suited to determining higher concentrations of metal ions and are a recommended method for ore analysis.
Q. How can I determine % of copper ore using titration method?
I am an assayer
walichupa mpundu
– luanshya zambia
February 4, 2024
A. Hi walichupa
I am not an assayer, but both 911Metallurgist (https://www.911metallurgist.com/blog/estimation-copper-ores-iodide-method) and Metrohm (https://www.metrohm.com/content/dam/metrohm/shared/documents/application-notes/an-h/AN-H-043.pdf) suggest and offer iodometric titration methods.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
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⇩ Similar, related, Q&As — oldest first ⇩
Q. I have dilute sulfuric acid in which copper ore is dissolved. To measure the concentration of copper in the solution I need to titrate it with magnesium oxide. Is this correct or is there a better way to analyse the sample?
Jivantika Patel
Student (placement) – Bristol, UK
2005
A. If I wanted an accurate answer I would use Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
⇦ on
or
Amazon [affil link] with matrix matched standards to counteract any interference effects that might be encountered.
Brian Terry
Aerospace – Yeovil, Somerset, UK
2005
A. Sophisticated instruments are usually the “better” way to go if you have them, but you don’t always have them. In between titration and AA there may be a middle answer like colorimeter testing. The answer may depend on what level of instrumentation is available to you.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2005
A. Dear Patel,
If you want to analyse the copper content of copper ore, I would not recommend AAS. AAS is a very good analytical tool. However, when analyzing higher concentration of metal ions, as in the case of copper ore, one has to be careful in choosing the working range and wavelength. Also dilution of the solution should also be done with caution since too much of dilution may results in positive error in the analysis.
You can adopt titrimetric method, which is also a recommended method in the chemical analysis of ores.
In fact, titrimetric methods are most suited for the determination of higher concentrations of metal ions.
T.S.N. Sankara Narayanan
– Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
(ed.note: The good doctor offers a fascinating blog, “Advancement in Science” )
2005