Abstract
Leaching rate of chalcopyrite in sulfuric acid solutions depends on a solution redox potential, determined by a concentration ratio of ferric to ferrous ions, and it become maximum at a certain potential (an optimum potential) depending on leaching conditions. In this study, factors affecting the optimum potential were investigated.
Shaking flask leaching experiments for two chalcopyrite concentrates were performed at 303 K under various pH values, pulp densities, and concentrations of ferrous and ferric ions with or without iron-oxidizing bacteria. The experimental results were analyzed based on a reaction model for the redox potential dependence of chalcopyrite leaching, which assumes the formation of an intermediate Cu2S from chalcopyrite. Plotting the leaching rate to a normalized potential in the model showed that the rate is controlled by the normalized potential and is independent of solution compositions, pulp densities, and iron-oxidizing bacteria when ferric ions do not precipitate. A maximum rate was achieved at a certain value of the normalized potential. Converting the normalized potential to the solution redox potential gives the optimum potential for chalcopyrite leaching as a function of cupric and ferrous ion concentrations. The optimum potential increases with increasing the cupric ion concentration and decreases with the ferrous ion concentration. Cupric ions affect stronger than ferrous ions on the optimum potential.
