Leaching of chalcopyrite: An emphasis on effect of copper and iron ions

Abstract

Many researchers found that the Fe²⁺ together with less amount of Cu²⁺ can accelerate the leaching of chalcopyrite. In this work, the leaching of chalcopyrite with Cu²⁺ was investigated. The leaching residuals were examined by Raman spectroscopy. Based on the leaching experiments, the chemical equilibrium in solution was calculated using Visual MINTEQ. The results showed that the Fe in chalcopyrite lattice was replaced by Cu²⁺; therefore, the chalcopyrite transformed into covellite. Furthermore, the formation of chalcocite occurred when Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ were added to the solution containing Cu²⁺. The copper extraction increased with a decrease of the initial redox potential (or the ratio of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺).

Keywords

chalcopyrite / covellite / chalcocite / leaching / redox potential

References

[1] WuA-x, HuK-j, WangH-j, ZhangA-q, YangYing. Effect of ultraviolet mutagenesis on heterotrophic strain mutation and bioleaching of low grade copper ore [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2017, 24: 2245-2252

[2] AiC-m, WuA-x, WangY-m, HouC-lai. Optimization and mechanism of surfactant accelerating leaching test [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2016, 23: 1032-1039

[3] YangJ-q, YanY-c, HuK-r, ZhangG-s, JiangD-y, LiQ-z, YeB, ChaiL-y, WangQ-w, LiuH, XiaoR-yang. Structural substitution for SO₄ group in tooeleite crystal by As(V) and As(III) oxoanions and the environmental implications [J]. Chemosphere, 2018

[4] KongX-f, TianT, XueS-g, HartleyW, HuangL-b, WuC, LiC-xuan. Development of alkaline electrochemical characteristics demonstrates soil formation in bauxite residue undergoing natural rehabilitation [J]. Land Degradation & Development, 2018, 29(1): 58-67

[5] ZhuF, LiaoJ-x, XueS-g, HartelyW, ZouQ, WuHao. Evaluation of aggregate microstructures following natural regeneration in bauxite residue as characterized by synchrotron-based X-ray micro-computed tomography [J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2016, 573(24): 155-163

[6] YanX, ChaiL-y, LiQ-z, YeL-j, YangB-t, WangQ-wei. Abiological granular sludge formation benefit for heavy metal wastewater treatment using sulfide precipitation [J]. CLEAN-Soil, Air, Water, 2017, 45(4): 1500730

[7] LiuD-g, MinX-b, KeY, ChaiL-y, LiangY-j, LiY-c, YaoL-w, WangZ-bing. Co-treatment of flotation waste, neutralization sludge, and arsenic-containing gypsum sludge from copper smelting: Solidification/stabilization of arsenic and heavy metals with minimal cement clinker [J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2018, 2587600-7607

[8] MinX-b, LiY-w-j, KeY, ShiM-q, ChaiL-y, XueKe. Fe-FeS2 adsorbent prepared with iron powder and pyrite by facile ball milling and its application for arsenic removal [J]. Water Science and Technology, 2017, 76(1): 192-200

[9] de OliveiraC, de LimaG F, de AbreuH A, DuarteH A. Reconstruction of the chalcopyrite surfaces—A DFT study [J]. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2012, 116(10): 6357-6366

[10] TuranM D, ArslanoğluH, AltundoğanH S. Optimization of the leaching conditions of chalcopyrite concentrate using ammonium persulfate in an autoclave system [J]. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2015, 50(C): 49-55

[11] PetersenJ, DixonD G. Thermophilic heap leaching of a chalcopyrite concentrate [J]. Minerals Engineering, 2002, 15(11): 777-785

[12] TuranM D. Direct selective leaching of chalcopyrite concentrate [J]. Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly, 2014, 53(4): 444-449

[13] GuG-h, XiongX-x, HuK-t, LiS-k, WangC-qing. Stepwise dissolution of chalcopyrite bioleaching by thermophile A. manzaensis and mesophile L. ferriphilum [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2015, 22(10): 3751-3759

[14] GuG-h, HuK-t, LiS-ke. Bioleaching and electrochemical properties of chalcopyrite by pure and mixed culture of Leptospirillum ferriphilum and Acidthiobacillus thiooxidans [J]. Journal of Central South University, 2013, 20(1): 178-183

[15] KlauberC. A critical review of the surface chemistry of acidic ferric sulphate dissolution of chalcopyrite with regards to hindered dissolution [J]. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 2008, 86(1–4): 1-17

[16] GhahremaninezhadA, DixonD G, AsselinE. Electrochemical and XPS analysis of chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) dissolution in sulfuric acid solution [J]. Electrochimica Acta, 2013, 87: 97-112

[17] AcresR G, HarmerS L, BeattieD A. Synchrotron XPS studies of solution exposed chalcopyrite, bornite, and heterogeneous chalcopyrite with bornite [J]. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 2010, 94(12): 43-51

[18] WuS-f, YangC-r, QinW-q, JiaoF, WangJ, ZhangY-sheng. Sulfur composition on surface of chalcopyrite during its bioleaching at 50 °C [J]. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2015, 25(12): 4110-4118

[19] MajusteD, CiminelliV S T, Osseo-AsareK, DantasM S S, Magalhaes-PaniagoR. Electrochemical dissolution of chalcopyrite: Detection of bornite by synchrotron small angle X-ray diffraction and its correlation with the hindered dissolution process [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2012, 111: 114-123

[20] JonesD LThe leaching of chalcopyrite [D], 1974, Vancouver, University of British Columbia

[21] HiroyoshiN, MikiH, HirajimaT, TsunekawaM. A model for ferrous-promoted chalcopyrite leaching [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2000, 57(1): 31-38

[22] HiroyoshiN, MikiH, HirajimaT, TsunekawaM. Enhancement of chalcopyrite leaching by ferrous ions in acidic ferric sulfate solutions [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2001, 60(3): 185-197

[23] HiroyoshiN, KuroiwaS, MikiH, TsunekawaM, HirajimaT. Synergistic effect of cupric and ferrous ions on active-passive behavior in anodic dissolution of chalcopyrite in sulfuric acid solutions [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2004, 74(12): 103-116

[24] HiroyoshiN, KitagawaH, TsunekawaM. Effect of solution composition on the optimum redox potential for chalcopyrite leaching in sulfuric acid solutions [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2008, 91(1–4): 144-149

[25] ZhaoH-b, WangJ, YangC-r, HuM-h, GanX-w, TaoL, QinW-q, QiuG-zhou. Effect of redox potential on bioleaching of chalcopyrite by moderately thermophilic bacteria: An emphasis on solution compositions [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2015, 151: 141-150

[26] YangY, LiuW-h, ChenMiao. XANES and XRD study of the effect of ferrous and ferric ions on chalcopyrite bioleaching at 30 °C and 48 °C [J]. Minerals Engineering, 2015, 70: 99-108

[27] QinW-q, YangC-r, LaiS-s, WangJ, LiuK, ZhangBo. Bioleaching of chalcopyrite by moderately thermophilic microorganisms [J]. Bioresource Technology, 2013, 129: 200-208

[28] GuG-h, HuK-t, ZhangX, XiongX-x, YangH-sha. The stepwise dissolution of chalcopyrite bioleached by Leptospirillum ferriphilum [J]. Electrochimica Acta, 2013, 103: 50-57

[29] LiangC-l, XiaJ-l, YangY, NieZ-y, ZhaoX-j, ZhengL, MaC-y, ZhaoY-dong. Characterization of the thermo-reduction process of chalcopyrite at 65 °C by cyclic voltammetry and XANES spectroscopy [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2011, 107(12): 13-21

[30] LiuH-c, NieZ-y, XiaJ-l, ZhuH-r, YangY, ZhaoC-h, ZhengL, ZhaoY-dong. Investigation of copper, iron and sulfur speciation during bioleaching of chalcopyrite by moderate thermophile Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans [J]. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 2015, 137: 1-8

[31] LiuH-c, XiaJ-l, NieZ-yuan. Relatedness of Cu and Fe speciation to chalcopyrite bioleaching by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2015, 156: 40-46

[32] ZiesE G. Some reactions involved in secondary copper sulphide enrichment [J]. Economic Geology, 1916, 11(5): 407-503

[33] YangC-r, QinW-q, LaiS-s, WangJ, ZhangY-s, JiaoF, RenL-y, ZhuangT, ChangZ-yong. Bioleaching of a low grade nickel–copper–cobalt sulfide ore [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2011, 106(12): 32-37

[34] HiroyoshiN, HirotaM, HirajimaT, TsunekawaM. A case of ferrous sulfate addition enhancing chalcopyrite leaching [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 1997, 47(1): 37-45