Abstract
Due to the depletion of oxidized copper ores, it necessitates the need to focus on metallurgical studies regarding sulphide copper ores, such as chalcopyrite. In this research, the electrochemical behaviour of chalcopyrite has been analysed under different conditions in order to identify the parameters necessary to increase the leaching rates. This was carried out through cyclic voltammetry tests at 1 mV/s using a pure chalcopyrite macro-electrode to evaluate the effect of scan rate, temperature, and the addition of chloride, cupric, and ferrous ions. Lastly, the feasibility of using seawater for chalcopyrite dissolution was investigated. An increase in the sweep rate and temperature proved to be beneficial in obtaining highest current densities at 10 mV/s and 50 °C. Further, an increase of chloride ions enhanced the current density values. The maximum current density obtained was 0.05 A/m2 at concentrations of 150 g/L of chloride. An increase in the concentration of cupric ions favoured the oxidation reaction of Fe (II) to Fe (III). Finally, the concentration of chloride ions present in seawater has been identified as favourable for chalcopyrite leaching.
Highlights
Nowadays chalcopyrite is processed mainly via concentration by flotation and subsequent pyrometallurgy
It can be seen that the range, where the chalcopyrite dissolution is maximized, is between 570 and 750 mV for the sweep rate of 1 and
According to results obtained, increasing the sweep rate from 1 to 10 mV/s it seems to inhibit the formation of a product layer on the surface of the chalcopyrite electrode
Summary
Nowadays chalcopyrite is processed mainly via concentration by flotation and subsequent pyrometallurgy. As a result of this last stage copper anodes with 99.6% purity are obtained [1]. One of the main challenges of smelters in Chile is to satisfy stricter environmental regulations. The main challenge is the processing of copper sulphide ores, chalcopyrite (CuFeS2 ) leaching. Chalcopyrite has been studied through various aqueous systems such as nitrate, ammonia, chloride and sulphate, with and without the presence of bacteria [2]. This would help to reduce energy and economic costs in the industry, as well as the operational projection of hydrometallurgical plants
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