Overview

Copper cathode is one of the most important raw materials for the electrical, electronics, wire, and cable industries. Its high purity and excellent electrical conductivity make it widely used in various industrial applications. Copper cathode is produced through electrorefining (electrolytic refining).

Copper is highly corrosion-resistant and has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as good ductility and malleability. Copper ore commonly contains copper, iron, and sulfur, with chalcopyrite being one of the main copper-bearing minerals.

How It's Made

Matte & Blister Copper

During copper processing, operators remove iron and other impurities to produce copper matte. Further processing and converting remove iron and sulfur, producing blister copper, which is then refined by electrorefining.

Electrorefining Setup

In electrorefining, operators separate impurities such as nickel, gold, and silver from copper. The impure copper serves as the anode (positive electrode), while a pure copper starter sheet serves as the cathode (negative electrode). Both are immersed in an acidic electrolyte containing sulfuric acid and copper sulfate.

Deposition & Purification

When an electrical current is applied, copper ions move through the electrolyte and deposit on the cathode. Insoluble impurities settle at the bottom as anode slime, while the process produces high-purity copper cathodes.

Final Purity

The electrorefining process typically takes 7–14 days, and the resulting copper cathode can reach approximately 99.99% purity.

Typical Specifications

• Cu: 99.99%
• S: <15 ppm
• Standard: Grade A
• Oxygen: According to LME standards

Applications

• Wire and cable production
• Electrical engineering
• Electronics
• Electrical equipment
• Construction
• Transportation
• Solar and wind energy systems