Abstract: The method and apparatus mixes two immiscible liquids A and O to form a dispersion and then pre-separates the dispersion into two fractions (A+o) and (O+a) in a spout. These two fractions are fed separately into a decanter with two separate compartments which continue to maintain the two fractions as separate. Within the two separate compartments the two fractions are further separated into two flows, A, O, a, and o, such that four flows exit the decanter.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining electrolytic copper from copper-bearing ores which involves (a) lixiviating a sulphurized copper concentrate with an aqueous solution containing cupric chloride; (b) separating the solution resulting from the lixiviation stage (a) into two parts, one of said parts, containing at least 1 gram of cuprous ions per liter and at least 2 grams of ferrous ions per liter, being subjected to oxidation by air at atmospheric pressure, at a pH value between 1 and 3, and at a temperature above 90.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for obtaining electrolytic copper and other useful metals from sulphurized concentrates, including in combination, the following stages:A. lixiviating the sulphurized concentrate with an aqueous solution containing cupric chloride formed in situ, at least in part, by oxidation, by introducing hydrochloric acid and air into the cuprous chloride solution resulting from lixiviation;B. partially extracting the copper contained in the lixiviation solution resulting from stage a) by contacting the lixiviation solution with an organic extractant containing a cationic solution, the extraction being accompanied by oxidation by injecting air into the lixiviation solution;C. re-extracting the copper contained in the organic extractant by contacting the organic extractant with an aqueous solution of sulphuric acid and recycling the organic extractant to the extraction stage b); andD.