Abstract
During the chalcopyrite leaching by sodium nitrate and sulfuric acid solution, leaching rate decreases with increasing the time and a part of chalcopyrite mineral grains remains in the leach residue. In chalcopyrite concentrate, 95.5 % of chalcopyrite mineral occurs as in liberated grains, and the rest is in association with gangue minerals, which is very favorably from the aspect of hydrometallurgical treatment. Complex forms, like impregnations and complex intergrowths, do not exist. After experiments carried out, leaching of copper achieved 84 % at temperature 80 o C and time 240 min. In the all leach residues, 97 % chalcopyrite mineral grains occur as liberated with highly corroded surfaces. Therefore, the structural assembly of chalcopyrite grains is favorable and no reason to reduce the leaching rate in the final stage of reaction. Reason for this is elemental sulfur, which was formed during the reaction, precipitated at the particle surfaces, and slowed down the leaching rate in the final stage of leaching process.
Highlights
A complex sulphide is an association of chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena disseminated in a pyritic matrix
During the chalcopyrite leaching by sodium nitrate and sulfuric acid solution, leaching rate decreases with increasing the time and a part of chalcopyrite mineral grains remains in the leach residue
The chemical, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and qualitative and quantitative mineralogical analyses were used for the characterization of the chalcopyrite concentrate and leach residue
Summary
A complex sulphide is an association of chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena disseminated in a pyritic matrix. Zinc and lead are valuable metals, such deposits may contain significant quantities of silver, gold, bismuth, mercury, antimony and arsenic . Complex ores are often characterized by particulary fine intergrowth of the mineral values. 53-60 intergrown, micro-size grains of 10-20 μm are being dispersed within the pyrite [1]. Sometimes it is not possible to prepare flotation concentrates of the individual minerals, but only bulk concentrates. Treatment by pyrometallurgical process is usually not attractive because large amounts of SO2 will be produced
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