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Copyright of BHM Berg- und Hüttenmännische Monatshefte is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study presents the results of a two-stage autoclave processing of a copper–arsenic concentrate. Copper concentrate is an important raw material to produce copper and other metals. However, in some cases, the concentrate may contain increased amounts of arsenic, which makes further processing difficult. Therefore, the development of modern hydrometallurgical methods for processing copper concentrate with a high arsenic content is an urgent task, which could lead to the optimization of the raw material processing process and the improvement of the quality of the concentrate. It has been established that the optimal conditions for the sequential two-stage autoclave processing of copper–arsenic concentrate are: t = 220–225 °C, τoxidation = 20 min, τtot = 90 min, Po2 = 0.4 MPa, and L:S = 10:1, [H2SO4]initial = 40 g/dm3; in this case, 85% of zinc, 44% of iron, and 78% of arsenic, respectively, are extracted into the solution during both stages and the loss of copper was about 0.01%. This is explained by the fact that at the first stage (oxidation) of the autoclave processing of the copper–arsenic concentrate, copper, together with iron, leaches into the solution, and at the second stage (reduction), copper precipitates out of the solution in the form of chalcocite. Copper in the residue after autoclave leaching is in the form of Cu2S, iron is in the form of pyrite (FeS2), and lead is in the form of anglesite (PbSO4), respectively. The obtained micrographs and EDX mappings clearly show no iron arsenates. This confirms that at the oxidative stage of the developed process, arsenic, removed by 78%, remains in the solution. The remaining arsenic is associated with tennantite, indicating the effectiveness of the treatment process in removing arsenic from the copper–arsenic concentrate. A second important observation is the presence of pronounced areas of copper sulfides in the microphotos without iron and arsenic impurities. This confirms that copper is deposited as chalcocite during the reduction phase of the process, which is the desired result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its growing importance as a Cu resource, studies on tennantite bioleaching are highly limited. One of the key challenges in processing such Cu-As sulfides is their refractoriness and the solubilisation of toxic As. The ultimate goal is to achieve selective bioleaching of Cu with simultaneous immobilisation of As in the leach residues. This study investigated the effectiveness of activated carbon (AC)-assisted bioleaching of tennantite concentrate using a mixed culture containing various "strong" and "weak" Fe-oxidising bacteria/archaea plus a S-oxidising bacterium, with particular emphasis on controlling the solution redox potential (Eh). In the initial flask bioleaching tests, a steady increase in Eh (up to 840 mV) was observed, reflecting the activity of "strong" Fe-oxidisers. In this situation, AC dosing effectively suppressed the Eh value and the highest Cu dissolution (70%) was obtained in the AC-0.01% system, while simultaneously immobilising As. In order to maximise Cu dissolution and As immobilisation, it was found preferable to target the Eh range of 650-700 mV during bioleaching. The next bioreactor tests used the mixed culture of the same origin, but had been subcultured a few generations further on tennantite concentrate. The Eh level remained unexpectedly low (~630 mV) for most of the leaching period, regardless of the AC dosage. It was later found that the bioreactor systems were almost exclusively dominated by Sb. thermosulfidooxidans, a "weak" Fe oxidiser with high Cu/As tolerance. In this case, there was no need to artificially suppress the Eh level by AC dosing and Cu leached readily to a final Cu dissolution of ~60% while As dissolution was suppressed to ~15%. Thus, depending on the microbial community that develops at the processing site, Eh control can be achieved either naturally by the activity of "weak" Fe-oxidisers as the predominant survivors under high Cu/As stress, or artificially by the addition of an Eh regulator such as a carbon catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work the effect of alkaline sulfide leaching (ASL) on the extraction of copper and zinc from low-grade copper concentrate containing chalcopyrite, tennantite, sphalerite, and pyrite during batch and continuous bioleaching experiments was studied. It was demonstrated that ASL and further bioleaching may be a promising approach for treatment of copper–zinc concentrates containing tennantite as this approach allows increasing copper extraction degree in comparison to one-stage bioleaching by 1.6–2.3 times. Thus, ASL was shown to be effective for pretreatment of tennantite containing concentrates to improve bioleaching for copper extraction. At the same time, ASL led to decrease in zinc extraction by 1.4–1.5 times. Therefore, the development of combined hydrometallurgical processes including ASL and bioleaching for effective metal leaching requires further studies to avoid negative effect on zinc extraction.

This study presents the results of a two-stage autoclave processing of a copper–arsenic concentrate. Copper concentrate is an important raw material to produce copper and other metals. However, in some cases, the concentrate may contain increased amounts of arsenic, which makes further processing difficult. Therefore, the development of modern hydrometallurgical methods for processing copper concentrate with a high arsenic content is an urgent task, which could lead to the optimization of the raw material processing process and the improvement of the quality of the concentrate. It has been established that the optimal conditions for the sequential two-stage autoclave processing of copper–arsenic concentrate are: t = 220–225 °C, τoxidation = 20 min, τtot = 90 min, Po2 = 0.4 MPa, and L:S = 10:1, [H2SO4]initial = 40 g/dm3; in this case, 85% of zinc, 44% of iron, and 78% of arsenic, respectively, are extracted into the solution during both stages and the loss of copper was about 0.01%. This is explained by the fact that at the first stage (oxidation) of the autoclave processing of the copper–arsenic concentrate, copper, together with iron, leaches into the solution, and at the second stage (reduction), copper precipitates out of the solution in the form of chalcocite. Copper in the residue after autoclave leaching is in the form of Cu2S, iron is in the form of pyrite (FeS2), and lead is in the form of anglesite (PbSO4), respectively. The obtained micrographs and EDX mappings clearly show no iron arsenates. This confirms that at the oxidative stage of the developed process, arsenic, removed by 78%, remains in the solution. The remaining arsenic is associated with tennantite, indicating the effectiveness of the treatment process in removing arsenic from the copper–arsenic concentrate. A second important observation is the presence of pronounced areas of copper sulfides in the microphotos without iron and arsenic impurities. This confirms that copper is deposited as chalcocite during the reduction phase of the process, which is the desired result.

The massive sulfide deposits (VMS) from Mănăilă are associated with the metamorphic formations of the Tulgheș Lithogroup from the Bucovinian Nappes of the Crystalline-Mesozoic Zone in the Eastern Carpathians, Romania. The following types of ore were identified: pyrite-polymetallic, pyrite copper, compact and precompact copper, and quartz-precompact copper. The polymetallic mineralization consists of pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, and subordinately arsenopyrite and tennantite. The copper, especially the quartz-copper mineralizations, have a distinct mineralogical composition compared to the other metamorphosed mineralizations of the Tulgheș Lithogroup. These types of deposits from Mănăilă contain large amounts of bornite and chalcocite along with chalcopyrite. Tennantite is abundant and has up to a 3.57 wt.% of bismuth. Wittichenite was identified for the first time in the metamorphic mineralizations and mawsonite was identified as the first occurrence in Romania. An unnamed mineral with the formula: C u , F e 11 P b , A g S 7 was also identified, belonging to the sulfides group. The compact and precompact pyrite-rich ores, located in sericite ± quartzite schists and covered by rhyolitic metatuffs, are of hydrothermal-sedimentary type metamorphosed in the greenschist facies. The source of the quartz-copper mineralization would be the retromorphic or metasomatic hydrothermal solutions that circulated through major fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature of tennantite (Cu12As4S13), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) and sphalerite (ZnS) particles' mixture dissolution in nitric acid (HNO3) media was investigated in this study. The effects of temperature (323–368 K), HNO3 (1–8 mol/L) and Fe3+ (0.009–0.036 mol/L) concentrations, reaction time (0–60 min) and pyrite (FeS2) additive (0.5/1–2/1; FeS2/sulf.conc.) on the conversion of the minerals were evaluated. It has been experimentally shown that the dissolution of the mixture under optimal conditions (>353 K; 6 mol/L HNO3; FeS2/synt. conc = 1/1) allows Cu12As4S13, CuFeS2 and ZnS conversion to exceed 90%. The shrinking core model (SCM) was applied for describing the kinetics of the conversion processes. The values of Ea were calculated as 28.8, 33.7 and 53.7 kJ/mol, respectively, for Cu12As4S13, CuFeS2 and ZnS. Orders of the reactions with respect to each reactant were calculated and the kinetic equations were derived to describe the dissolution rate of the minerals. It was found that the interaction between HNO3 solution and Cu12As4S13, CuFeS2 and ZnS under the conditions investigated in this are of a diffusion-controlled nature. Additionally, the roles of Fe(III) in the initial solution and FeS2 in the initial pulp as catalysts were studied. The results indicated that the increase in Fe3+ concentration significantly accelerates the dissolution of the mixture, while the addition of FeS2 forms a galvanic coupling between FeS2, and Cu12As4S13 and CuFeS2, which also accelerates the reaction rate. The results of the study are considered useful in developing a hydrometallurgical process for polymetallic sulfide raw materials treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-arsenic copper flotation concentrates, in which the major arsenic-bearing mineral was tennantite, were leached with an alkaline sulphide system. At a pulp density of 5 wt% solids with 100–150 g/L Na2S and 50 g/L NaOH, over 91 wt% As was dissolved within 2 h at 100°C. From concentrates containing 3.4–4.9 wt% As, leach residues containing <0.5 wt% As were obtained making them suitable as a smelter feed without a penalty for arsenic. Copper dissolution ranged from 16 to 22 wt% Cu, with significant amounts of calcium, iron and sulphur also dissolved. In a leach at 34.0 wt% solids, excellent arsenic extraction was obtained (97.9 wt% As), but the levels of copper, calcium, and iron dissolution were 0.5, 1.1, and 0.2 wt%, respectively, meaning excellent selectivity for arsenic was achieved. X-ray diffraction and electron probe microanalyses indicated the mechanism for arsenic dissolution from tennantite, and bornite abundance in the residue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work the effect of alkaline sulfide leaching (ASL) on the extraction of copper and zinc from low-grade copper concentrate containing chalcopyrite, tennantite, sphalerite, and pyrite during batch and continuous bioleaching experiments was studied. It was demonstrated that ASL and further bioleaching may be a promising approach for treatment of copper–zinc concentrates containing tennantite as this approach allows increasing copper extraction degree in comparison to one-stage bioleaching by 1.6–2.3 times. Thus, ASL was shown to be effective for pretreatment of tennantite containing concentrates to improve bioleaching for copper extraction. At the same time, ASL led to decrease in zinc extraction by 1.4–1.5 times. Therefore, the development of combined hydrometallurgical processes including ASL and bioleaching for effective metal leaching requires further studies to avoid negative effect on zinc extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioleaching may be effectively used to extract nonferrous metals from sulfide ores and concentrates. At the same time, some minerals are refractory and their bioleaching rate is often comparatively low that does not allow the required metal extraction rate to be achieved. In the present work, we studied the two-stage process, which included stages of biological and chemical leaching, to improve copper extraction from low grade Cu–Zn sulfide concentrate containing chalcopyrite, tennantite, pyrite, and sphalerite. Bioleaching was conducted in the continuous mode in three laboratory scale reactors connected in series. The pulp density was 10% and the residence time was 7 days. The temperature was 40 °C in the 1st reactor and 50 °C in the 2nd and 3rd reactors. Bioleaching allowed the extraction of 29.5 and 78% of Cu and Zn, respectively. The solid bioleach residue obtained was then treated for additional Cu and Zn recovery using high temperature leaching at 90 °C for 25 h. The liquid phase of the bioleaching pulp contained Fe3+ ions, which is the strong oxidant, and the leach solution was supplemented with NaCl. In the presence of the maximal NaCl concentration (1 M), Cu and Zn extraction reached 48 and 84%. Thus, two-stage leaching may allow to increase bioleaching efficiency and may be used to improve the bioleaching rate of refractory minerals, such as chalcopyrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this work was to study the bioleaching of arsenic-containing polymetallic concentrate that contained 6.2% Cu, 7.3% Zn and 1.7% As, depending on different temperatures and in the presence of CO2 and molasses in the medium, as well as the difference in the composition of microbial population formed under various conditions. A mixed population of moderately thermophilic and thermotolerant acidophilic microorganisms formed during the continuous bioleaching of copper concentrate was used as an inoculum. The experiments were carried out in a continuous mode in laboratory scale reactors, with a temperature range of 40 °C to 60 °C. To assess the effect of CO2 and molasses on metal leaching and microbial population composition, the experiments were carried out in three reactors: CO2 (~0.01 L/min) was supplied into the first reactor; 0.02% molasses were added to the pulp of the second reactor; and no additional carbon sources were supplied into the control reactor. The highest copper recovery (27%) was achieved at 50°C in the experiment with molasses, while the highest zinc recovery (82.1%) was reached at 45°C in the control experiment. Additional carbon sources affected the extraction of non-ferrous metals only at 60 °C and increased the extraction of copper and zinc by 12.6% and 24.2%, respectively. Both the temperature and carbon source used affected the microbial population composition. The main microbial genera revealed in the populations by next generation sequencing (NGS) were bacteria of the genera Sulfobacillus and Acidithiobacillus, as well as archaea of the genera Ferroplasma, Acidiplasma, and Cuniculiplasma. At low temperatures (40 and 45 °C), Acidithiobacillus, Sulfobacillus, and Ferroplasma predominated, while at temperatures 50–55 °C, the decrease in relative abundance of these genera occurred, and the predominance of Acidiplasma archaea was observed. The usage of both CO2 and molasses led to the increase in Sulfobacillus and Acidiplasma in relative abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nonferrous Metals (Mineral Processing Section) is the property of Beijing Research Institute of Mining & Metallurgy Technology Group and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Bioleaching may be effectively used to extract nonferrous metals from sulfide ores and concentrates. At the same time, some minerals are refractory and their bioleaching rate is often comparatively low that does not allow the required metal extraction rate to be achieved. In the present work, we studied the two-stage process, which included stages of biological and chemical leaching, to improve copper extraction from low grade Cu–Zn sulfide concentrate containing chalcopyrite, tennantite, pyrite, and sphalerite. Bioleaching was conducted in the continuous mode in three laboratory scale reactors connected in series. The pulp density was 10% and the residence time was 7 days. The temperature was 40 °C in the 1st reactor and 50 °C in the 2nd and 3rd reactors. Bioleaching allowed the extraction of 29.5 and 78% of Cu and Zn, respectively. The solid bioleach residue obtained was then treated for additional Cu and Zn recovery using high temperature leaching at 90 °C for 25 h. The liquid phase of the bioleaching pulp contained Fe3+ ions, which is the strong oxidant, and the leach solution was supplemented with NaCl. In the presence of the maximal NaCl concentration (1 M), Cu and Zn extraction reached 48 and 84%. Thus, two-stage leaching may allow to increase bioleaching efficiency and may be used to improve the bioleaching rate of refractory minerals, such as chalcopyrite.

The goal of the present work was to study the bioleaching of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), enargite (Cu3AsS4), and tennantite (Cu12As4S13) by pure and mixed cultures of moderately thermophilic microorganisms belonging to the groups predominant in technological processes (Acidithiobacillus caldus MBC-1, Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans SH-1, and Acidiplasma sp. MBA-1) under different conditions (temperature of 40 to 60°C, presence of Fe2+ ions, pyrite (FeS2), and pyrrhotite (FeS)). Bioleaching of copper from chalcopyrite and enargite was shown to depend on temperature and to be almost independent of the composition of microbial culture. Under optimal conditions (50–55°C), after 30 days 25–27 and 14% of copper was leached from chalcopyrite and enargite, respectively. Increase in the temperature up to 60°C led to the inhibition of copper bioleaching from both minerals. The optimal temperature for tennantite bioleaching was 45°C, while the rate of bioleaching was significantly dependent on the composition of the microbial culture. In an experiment with a mixed culture of all three strains, 26% of copper was leached, while in experiments with pure cultures of A. caldus MBC-1, S. thermosulfidooxidans SH-1, and Acidiplasma sp. MBA-1, after 30 days 12, 21, and 18% of copper was leached, respectively. Addition to the medium of Fe2+ as ferrous sulfate resulted in an increased rate of copper leaching from enargite and tennantite, which may be explained by the fact that Fe3+ ions are generated during microbial Fe2+ biooxidation to Fe3+, which is a strong oxidizing agent and plays an important role in the leaching of sulfide minerals. In the presence of pyrite and pyrrhotite, the rates of enargite and tennantite leaching increased, probably due to the presence of Fe3+ ions in the medium, which were generated during the biooxidation of iron sulfide minerals. The results of the work demonstrated that different environmental factors affected the bioleaching of copper minerals in different ways, which is of practical importance, in particular, for planning the trials for bioleaching of mineral raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oscillatory zoning in tennantite-(Fe) crystals found in carbonate–sulfide aggregates at the Darasun gold deposit has been studied. Similar elements have been distinguished in zoned crystals: core, "identical oscillatory rhythm," rhythms with crystallographic and wavy oscillatory zoning, and rim with poorly defined fine oscillatory zoning. Oscillatory zoning is due to considerable variations in the contents of semimetals (As and Sb) and formally divalent metals (Fe and Zn). Variations in As and Sb are coupled with changes in Fe and Zn, respectively. Both As and Fe contents increase in zoned crystals from the center to the edge: Sb/(Sb + As) ratio varies from 0.44 to 0.03, while Fe/(Fe + Zn) ratio varies from 0.38 to 0.75. The evolution of the composition of zoned tennantite-(Fe) crystals is similar to that of the fahlore at the deposit and to that in pseudomorphic rhythmically zoned tennantite aggregates. A negative relationship between Sb/(Sb + As) and Fe/(Fe + Zn) ratios has been revealed: it is stronger in the internal rhythms than in the external. The oscillatory zoning formed under conditions close to local equilibrium under the influence of external factors at the early crystal growth stages. The composition of zones reflects (random) fluctuations of the external parameters caused by variations in physicochemical conditions (T, fS2, fO2, and pH) and fluid composition, by fluid boiling or mixing of fluids from different sources. Subsequently, changes in the crystal morphology, irregular fluctuations in crystal compositions, and various trends in the behavior of components were caused by the appearance of a concentration gradient at the mineral–fluid boundary and kinetic phenomena on the mineral growth surface. The zoning developed under the influence of "internal" mechanisms under conditions far from equilibrium due to the interrelation between the growth of zones enriched in one component, resulting from the concentration gradient at the crystal–fluid boundary, and the incorporation of another component, in particular, as a result of the self-organization process uninfluenced by external factors. It has been concluded that the oscillatory zoning in fahlore is caused by the difference in solubility of the end-members of the tennantite–tetrahedrite solid solution due to changes in the metal and semimetal migration conditions with a decrease in temperature and fluid salinity. Hence, the oscillatory zoning in tennantite-(Fe) crystals at the Darasun deposit was related to self-organization processes complicated by random fluctuations (noise) of the external parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of synthetic tennantite Cu12As4S13 was investigated at various temperatures in the 90–293 K range. It crystallizes in space group. No structural transformation was observed in this temperature range. The structures were refined in anharmonic approximation for atomic displacements and electron density maps were refined using the maximum entropy method. Both approaches indicate a noticeable static disorder of the copper atoms in the triangular sulfur coordination and neighbouring site at high temperatures, whereas these split copper sites are well defined at lower temperatures. One particle potential is used to describe the behaviour of atoms at these copper sites. Such behaviour may be the structural reason for changes in magnetic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of synthetic tennantite Cu12As4S13 was investigated at various temperatures in the 90–293 K range. It crystallizes in space group. No structural transformation was observed in this temperature range. The structures were refined in anharmonic approximation for atomic displacements and electron density maps were refined using the maximum entropy method. Both approaches indicate a noticeable static disorder of the copper atoms in the triangular sulfur coordination and neighbouring site at high temperatures, whereas these split copper sites are well defined at lower temperatures. One particle potential is used to describe the behaviour of atoms at these copper sites. Such behaviour may be the structural reason for changes in magnetic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of fahlores is one of the most effective areas of mineralogical research that allows deciphering the conditions for formation of ore deposits, which in its turn is the scientific basis for their search, exploration and rational mining. The main aim of the study was to reveal mineralogical-geochemical features and evolution of the composition of fahlores, as well as features of the ore-forming hydrothermal fluids that formed the Ak-Sug gold-molybdenum-copper-porphyry deposit. Research methods: field studies, detailed mineralogical studies with ore mineralization in polished sections (polished sections) with Olympus polishing microscope and electron microscope MIRA 3 LMU (Tescan Orsay Holding) combined with X-ray microanalysis systems INCA Energy 450+Xmax-80 and INCA Wave 500 (Oxford Instruments Nanoanalysis Ltd). Results. We revealed variations in composition of the fahlores group minerals of the Ak-Sug gold-molybdenum-copper-porphyry deposit, which are represented by the minerals of the tennantite-tetrahedrite series. The latter are developed as part of three mineral associations corresponding to three generations. For the fahlores, a latent smooth zoning is characteristic, due to an increase in the Sb content to the outer zones. Evolution of compositions of the I generation fahlores: Cu-tennantite - Fe-tennantite - Zn-tennantite, II generation: Cu-tennantite - Zn-tennantite - Zn-tennantite-tetrahedrite. Fahlores of the III generation is represented by Zn-tennantite-tetrahedrite. The presence of high-copper tennantite, Zn-tennantite, Zn-tennantite-tetrahedrite, and mineralogical features of the Ak-Sug ore deposits indicate a relatively increased oxidation potential of ore-forming hydrothermal fluids. The main factors of ore deposition were a change in the oxidation-reduction character, variations of fS2, fSe2, fTe2 and temperature decrease of ore-bearing fluid.

Despite its growing importance as a Cu resource, studies on tennantite bioleaching are highly limited. One of the key challenges in processing such Cu-As sulfides is their refractoriness and the solubilisation of toxic As. The ultimate goal is to achieve selective bioleaching of Cu with simultaneous immobilisation of As in the leach residues. This study investigated the effectiveness of activated carbon (AC)-assisted bioleaching of tennantite concentrate using a mixed culture containing various "strong" and "weak" Fe-oxidising bacteria/archaea plus a S-oxidising bacterium, with particular emphasis on controlling the solution redox potential (Eh). In the initial flask bioleaching tests, a steady increase in Eh (up to 840 mV) was observed, reflecting the activity of "strong" Fe-oxidisers. In this situation, AC dosing effectively suppressed the Eh value and the highest Cu dissolution (70%) was obtained in the AC-0.01% system, while simultaneously immobilising As. In order to maximise Cu dissolution and As immobilisation, it was found preferable to target the Eh range of 650-700 mV during bioleaching. The next bioreactor tests used the mixed culture of the same origin, but had been subcultured a few generations further on tennantite concentrate. The Eh level remained unexpectedly low (~630 mV) for most of the leaching period, regardless of the AC dosage. It was later found that the bioreactor systems were almost exclusively dominated by Sb. thermosulfidooxidans , a "weak" Fe oxidiser with high Cu/As tolerance. In this case, there was no need to artificially suppress the Eh level by AC dosing and Cu leached readily to a final Cu dissolution of ~60% while As dissolution was suppressed to ~15%. Thus, depending on the microbial community that develops at the processing site, Eh control can be achieved either naturally by the activity of "weak" Fe-oxidisers as the predominant survivors under high Cu/As stress, or artificially by the addition of an Eh regulator such as a carbon catalyst., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Kondo, Hayashi, Phann and Okibe.)

The results of material composition studies of four samples of refractory copper-bearing ores of the Uzelga deposit are presented along with the results of studies of technological solutions to increase their processing parameters. The refractoriness of ores is associated with a thin dissemination up to micron size and close interbreedings of ore and rock minerals. Iron sulfides are presented by a wide range of minerals: pyrite and marcasite, melnikovite, arsenic pyrite, and arsenopyrite; sooty melnikovite has an increased flotation activity. The grinding of iron sulfides from 89 to 29% is followed by a proportional increase in easily floatable rock minerals to 45% and clay to 9%. These properties make these sulfides difficult to process and retain ore refractoriness to the flotation concentration. The content of copper sulfides in ore samples varies from 3.32 to 7.29%; the relative portion of copper sulfide in a form of tennantite in different samples of deposit varies from 29 to 93%. Copper is also present in a form of chalcopyrite and bornite. The best flotation activity of tennantite can be seen in a neutral and slightly acidic medium, in contrast with the standard flotation regime for chalcopyrite and bornite with butyl xanthate in a high-alkaline calcareous medium. Free grains of copper minerals can be selectively extracted into intercycled concentrates during grinding of no more than 60% of the class-71 μm. The technology of flotation in a low-alkaline medium with M-TF selective sulfhydril collector in the intercycle copper flotation and refinement cycle of the copper concentrate is developed for refractory copper-bearing ores with a variable tennantite content. Aeration is applied to suppress the flotation activity of melnikovite, which makes it possible to attain 80% copper recovery into a conditional copper concentrate. The fine inclusions of bornite, tennantite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite into pyrite makes it rational to obtain copper-pyrite and copper-zinc-pyrite products with a yield up to 12% for pyro- and hydrometallurgical processing, along with the isolation of enriched copper concentrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural samples containing tetrahedrite-tennantite, bournonite-seligmannite and geocronite-jordanite from the Coranda-Hondol ore deposit, Romania, were investigated by Raman spectroscopy to determine its capability to provide estimates of solid solutions in three common and widespread sulfosalt mineral series. Raman measurements were performed on extended solid solution series (Td1 to Td97, Bnn25 to Bnn93 and Gcn24 to Gcn67, apfu). The tetrahedrite-tennantite and bournonite-seligmannite solid solution series show strong correlations between spectroscopic parameters (position, relative intensity and shape of the Raman bands) and the Sb/(Sb+As) content ratio, while Raman spectra of geocronite-jordanite shows no evolution of Raman bands. In order to simplify the method used to estimate the Sb/(Sb+As) content ratio in tetrahedrite-tennantite and bournonite-seligmannite series, several linear equations of the first-order polynomial fit were obtained. The results are in good agreement with electron microprobe data. Moreover, a computer program was developed as an analytical tool for a fast and accurate determination of Sb/(Sb+As) content ratio by at least one spectroscopic parameter. These results indicate that Raman spectroscopy can provide direct information on the composition and structure of the tetrahedrite-tennantite and bournonite-seligmannite series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of experimental investigations into the zeta potential of ultrafine sulfides (chalcopyrite, tennantite, galenite, sphalerite, pyrite, and pyrrhotine), the floatability of monomineral fractions of sulfides of the floatation coarseness (-0.1 + 0.05 mm) in a mechanical flotation machine, and the floatability fine particles of sulfide (-0.044 + 0.010 mm) in the Hallimond tube are presented. The preparation procedure of ultrafine powders and sulfhydril collectors to measure the zeta potential is presented. Zeta potentials of the surface of mineral particles and insoluble forms of sulfhydril collectors are investigated in the pH range from 2.0 to 12.5 (an acidic medium was formed by using HSO and basic one by using NaOH or Ca(OH)), and various values of zeta potentials are found for sulfides in the sodium hydroxide and lime medium. Zeta potentials for all sulfides are negative in the NaOH medium at pH > 9.5, they are positive (1-18 mV) in the Ca(OH) medium at pH > 11, and zeta potentials for chalcopyrite are positive in the studied range $$p{H_{Ca{{\left( {OH} \right)}_2}}}$$ 9.0-12.5. The values of the isoelectric point in the medium of sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide are as follows: for chalcopyrite-pH 6.5 and 8.8, for tennantite-pH 3.0, for sphalerite-pH 5.1 and 6.4, for pyrite-pH 3.1 and 8.9, and for pyrrhotine-pH 7.0. In the lime medium, the value for tennantite and sphalerite pH 12.0, for galenite-pH 11.2, for pyrite-pH 9.5 and 11.2, and for pyrrhotine-pH 9.5 and 12.1. Measurements of zeta potentials of ultrafine sulfide particles give the opportunity to refine the interaction mechanism of sulfhydril collectors with sulfides and associate the nonselective recovery of final tailings of sulfides in the highly alkaline lime medium with the contribution of the electrostatic component during the adhesion of ultrafine sulfide particles on bubbles and their mechanical carryout into the froth product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By thermodynamic calculation and analysis, a hypothesis is suggested and provided that tennatite gets easily converted to Cu 3 As which exists in slag in the traditional pyrometallurgy process. Due to the formation of Cu 3 As, the economic value of high-arsenic silver bearing copper ore is greatly reduced, and the copper recovery ratio declines. Arsenic in the silver bearing copper ore is a punitive element in a trade. It is verified that arsenic could be removed from tennantite and most of sulfur is retained satisfactorily at low oxygen pressure. Investigation has been carried out for arsenic removal from a silver bearing copper ore. The copper ore was roasted in nitrogen atmosphere (> 99%) at temperatures ranging from 923.15 K to1123.15 K. By suitably adjusting the main reaction conditions, nearly 98% arsenic was removed at 1053.15 K for 3 h in nitrogen atmosphere, while most of the sulfur was particularly retained in the copper ore. After the arsenic removal, the arsenic content was reduced from 7.81% to 0.13% and the copper ore could be used for feeding the smelter. Compared with the traditional method of arsenic removal from copper ore by roasting in oxygen, our proposed method of arsenic removal in nitrogen atmosphere at temperature of 1053.15 K is more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]