Chalcopyrite leaching in acid media: a review

In the modern practice of copper production, more and more attention is paid to the possibility of treating low-percentage sulfide ores that cannot be treated with conventional procedures (crushing, grinding, flotation). In addition to this, the processes of obtaining copper from complex sulfide concentrates, which cannot undergo pyrometallurgical processing, are increasingly being investigated. Extraction of copper from such raw materials is in most cases achieved by applying leaching procedures. Since chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) is by far the most abundant copper sulfide mineral, a large portion of the research is focused on studying the behavior of chalcopyrite in the leaching process, because processes of copper extraction from increasingly poor raw materials may be created using results of these studies. In addition, the main objective of this research is examining the kinetics and mechanism of chalcopyrite oxidation under the influence of various oxidants (O2, Fe3 +, H2O2, chlorate ions, etc.) and at the same time obtaining data necessary for the development of copper production process that could satisfy increasingly stringent technological, economic and environmental criteria. The paper presents the existing knowledge of the chalcopyrite leaching procedure and phenomena that accompany chalcopyrite oxidation in acidic sulfate and chloride solutions

Investigation in order to defined the technological process of obtaining fillers for use in various industries on the basis of limestone 'Gigovići'-Ulcinj

This paper presents results of investigations of the possibility of using 'Gigovići'-Ulcinj limestone (Republic Montenegro) as filler in various industry branches. Micronization methods, granulometric composition, oil and water absorption and degree of whiteness were investigated, and chemical and thermal analyses (DT/TG) were performed. Physico-chemical properties of this limestone classify it among high quality carbonate raw materials with relatively high CaCO3 content of 98.16 %, as well as low MgCO3 content of 1.53 % and low silicate content (SiO2 0.30 %). Its quality satisfies requirements of standards on using of calcium carbonate as filler in industry of paints and coatings; paper industry, rubber and PVC industry; glass industry; production of mineral fertilizers; foundry industry; sugar industry and metallurgy. Due to the low degree of whiteness (85.25 %) 'Gigovići' limestone cannot be used in pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry. Due to relatively high content of MgO (0.73 %) and Fe (340 ppm), as well as high content of heavy metals, Cu (18 ppm), Ni (24 ppm) and Cd (9 ppm), 'Gigovići' limestone cannot be used, in production of cattle feed and for neutralization of acidic soils

The Extraction of Copper from Chalcopyrite Concentrate with Hydrogen Peroxide in Sulfuric Acid Solution

Research on chalcopyrite leaching represents a great challenge, given its importance as one of the most abundant copper minerals and its significant role in global copper extraction. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different parameters on chalcopyrite leaching by hydrogen peroxide as a strong oxidizing reagent in sulfuric acid solution. A series of leaching tests were carried out to investigate the effect of the solid/liquid ratio, stirring speed, temperature, oxidant and acid concentrations, and lixiviant dosing method on copper extraction from chalcopyrite concentrate. The catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide occurred in the investigated leaching system, as reflected in the obtained metal extraction values. Copper extraction was increased in the first 60 min of the reaction, after which it essentially ceased. The maximum final copper extraction of 64.5% was attained with 3.0 mol/L H2O2 in 3.0 mol/L H2SO4 at a temperature of 40 °C after 120 min of reaction. Due to the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the examined leaching system, the leaching experiment was performed with the periodic addition of lixiviant at specific time intervals as well. The dissolution process was described by the first-order kinetics equation with an apparent activation energy of ~39 kJ/mol. Finally, XRD and SEM-EDS analyses were used to characterize the leached residue, and the results showed that the formation of elemental sulfur on the chalcopyrite surface affected the dissolution process

The effect of oxidants through a tailing dump depth and the leaching of copper

The research results of the oxidants influence on Cu leaching recovery from the old Bor flotation tailing dump from the Bor mining facilities, located in eastern Serbia, will be present. Leaching experiments were carried out on samples of tailings taken from the surface of tailing dump down to the depth of 20 m, per depth intervals of 5 m. Copper content in the initial samples ranged from 0.026 % (surface) to 0.43% (20 m depth). Tests of copper leaching were carried out in the acid media (0.01 M solution of H2SO4) without an oxidant, with addition of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. All three combinations of tests were done with and without the previous rinsing of samples so that total of six different series of experiments emerged. During previous rinsing of samples with distilled water, high degree of copper leaching (up to 75.33%) was achieved in some samples indicating the presence of copper sulfate and other soluble copper oxides. The highest copper recovery were obtained in the experiments with 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide and amounted to 88.93% and 62.63% for samples with and without rinsing, respectively. These results indicate on extremely high mobility of copper ions and the risk in terms of pollution the surrounding water system and soil

Analysis of Surface Water Quality and Sediments Content on Danube Basin in Djerdap-Iron Gate Protected Areas

As water is essential to life and is an indispensable resource for ecosystems and their services and for nearly all human activities, the goal of this research was to evaluate the surface water quality of the Danube as it passes through the Romania–Serbia border in the nature reservations Djerdap and Iron Gate. The study aimed to assess the oxygen regime, nutrients and heavy metals contamination of the surface waters of the Danube on a length of about 240 km, between Bazias and Iron Gate II. Reference sampling and analytical methods (UV-VIS and AAS) were deployed to reach this goal. In addition, sediments were analyzed through back scattered SEM-EDAX for the elemental analysis of the sediment surface. Results obtained show a low environmental impact of heavy metals, while the Danube’s oxygen regime is under stress due to nutrients’ (nitrites and orthophosphates) significant concentration in the Danube surface water in the analyzed sector. Our approach can be applied to other water bodies in the area, to increase available scientific data together with societal awareness of the Danube’s environmental risks