Chalcopyrite Leaching in a Dimethyl Sulfoxide Solution Containing Copper Chloride

Chalcopyrite (CuFeS 2 ) is the most refractory copper mineral when treated in conventional sulfate media leaching systems. This is the first study to examine the use of a dimethyl sulfoxide (CH 3 SOCH 3 , DMSO) solution containing copper chloride (CuCl 2 ) for the leaching of chalcopyrite. Leaching...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Minerals & metallurgical processing 2021-06, Vol.38 (3), p.1477-1485
Main Authors: Takatori, Kota, Kato, Hidekazu, Yoshimura, Akihiro, Matsuno, Yasunari
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chalcopyrite
Copper
Copper chloride
Cupric ions
Dimethyl sulfoxide
Engineering
Gold
Leaching
Materials Engineering
Metallic Materials
Mineral Resources
Pressure
Pyrite
Sulfoxides
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Summary:Chalcopyrite (CuFeS 2 ) is the most refractory copper mineral when treated in conventional sulfate media leaching systems. This is the first study to examine the use of a dimethyl sulfoxide (CH 3 SOCH 3 , DMSO) solution containing copper chloride (CuCl 2 ) for the leaching of chalcopyrite. Leaching experiments for a copper concentrate composed mainly of chalcopyrite were conducted at ambient pressure at 313–413 K. The leaching fractions of Cu, Fe, S, Au, and As were investigated. It was found that 90% of the Cu was extracted in 2 h, and 94% was extracted in 4 h at 373 K, which is competitive with other conventional processes. A DMSO solution containing CuCl 2 could selectively dissolve the valuable metals Cu and Au from chalcopyrite, but leave minerals with little economic value such as pyrite (FeS 2 ) and As in the residue. Chalcopyrite is oxidized by cupric ion in proportion to the stoichiometric ratio of Cu in the concentrate to the initial cupric ion in the DMSO solution, which is enhanced by the presence of oxygen below 373 K.
ISSN:2524-3462
2524-3470
DOI:10.1007/s42461-021-00400-3