Atmospheric leaching of copper flotation concentrate with oxygenated sulphuric acid solutions.

The atmospheric leaching was studied of copper sulphide concentrate from the Lubin concentrator in Poland using oxygenated aqueous H2SO4 in the presence of Fe(III). The results showed that the leaching process has to be preceded by controlled, non-oxidative decomposition of acid-consuming carbonate components in order to further liberate finely disseminated metal-bearing minerals. Atmospheric leaching appeared to be a very efficient process for recovering Cu, Zn, Co and Ni from the concentrate due to the favourable mineralogical composition and the fine size of the leached particles. Maximum recoveries of 95% Cu, 90% Zn, 40% Ni and 50% Co were obtained after leaching for 5-7 hours at 90 degrees C in oxygenated solutions containing 20-30 g/dm3 of Fe(III). The solid leaching residue can be further processed by flotation or chloride leaching to recover Ag, Pb and precious metals.
The atmospheric leaching was studied of copper sulphide concentrate from the Lubin concentrator in Poland using oxygenated aqueous H2SO4 in the presence of Fe(III). The results showed that the leaching process has to be preceded by controlled, non-oxidative decomposition of acid-consuming carbonate components in order to further liberate finely disseminated metal-bearing minerals. Atmospheric leaching appeared to be a very efficient process for recovering Cu, Zn, Co and Ni from the concentrate due to the favourable mineralogical composition and the fine size of the leached particles. Maximum recoveries of 95% Cu, 90% Zn, 40% Ni and 50% Co were obtained after leaching for 5-7 hours at 90 degrees C in oxygenated solutions containing 20-30 g/dm3 of Fe(III). The solid leaching residue can be further processed by flotation or chloride leaching to recover Ag, Pb and precious metals.