Tinkler, O.S.Sole, Kathryn C.2024-08-152024-08-152023-07Tinkler, O.S. and Sole, K.C. 2023. Copper solvent extraction on the African Copperbelt: From historic origins to world-leading status. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 123, no. 7. pp. 349–356. http://dx.DOI.org/10.17159/2411-9717/2906/2023.2225-6253 (print)2411-9717 (online)10.17159/2411-9717/2906/2023http://hdl.handle.net/2263/97672CREDIT AUTHOR STATEMENT : KCS: Investigation, data analysis, writing - original draft preparation; writing - review and editing; OST: Investigation, data analysis, writing - review and editingThe contents of this paper are based on a Keynote Address given at the International Solvent Extraction Conference ISEC 2022, Sweden, on 30 September 2022 by KCS and a presentation at Copper Cobalt Africa 2023, Zambia, on 13 June 2023 by OST.Approximately 20% of current world copper cathode output is produced using a hydrometallurgical process route, generally referred to as the leach–solvent extraction–electrowinning flowsheet. Since its commercialization in the late 1960s, steady improvements in the performance and efficiency of the solvent-extraction reagents and equipment, combined with significant developments in leaching and electrowinning, have made an ever-widening range of ore types amenable to this technology. Following successful implementation on all major continents, a large proportion of growth in recent years derives from the re-emergence of copper solvent extraction in the Central African Copperbelt. This review provides a brief history of the development and evolution of copper solvent extractants and mixer-settler contactors, and the significance of the Copperbelt region in achieving commercialization and acceptance of the technology. The opportunities and challenges presented by the abundant high-grade oxide ores of the Copperbelt are contrasted with the processing of solutions derived from the low-grade mixed oxide–sulfide ore bodies that are prevalent in other geological regions. The current status of hydrometallurgical copper production in the African Copperbelt, within a global context, and a medium-term outlook for the technology are discussed.en© The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2023.CopperSolvent extractionReviewHistoryAfrican CopperbeltZambiaDemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC)SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructureArticle