In ores, chalcopyrite is usually associated with other sulfide minerals, such as sphalerite, galena, and pyrite, in a dispersed form, with complex mineralogical structures. Concentrates obtained by flotation of such ores are unsuitable for pyrometallurgical processing owing to their poor quality and low metal recovery. This paper presents the leaching of chalcopyrite concentrate from the location “Rudnik, Serbia”. The samples from the flotation plant were treated with hydrogen peroxide in sulfuric acid. The influences of temperature, particle size, stirring speed, as well as the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid were followed and discussed. Hence, the main objective was to optimize the relevant conditions and to determine the reaction kinetics. It was remarked that the increase in temperature, hydrogen peroxide content, and sulfuric acid concentration, as well as the decrease in particle size and stirring speed, contribute to the dissolution of chalcopyrite. The dissolution kinetics follow a model controlled by diffusion, and the lixiviant diffusion controls the rate of reaction through the sulfur layer. Finally, the main characterization methods used to corroborate the obtained results were X-ray diffraction (XRD) as well as qualitative and quantitative light microscopy of the chalcopyrite concentrate samples and the leach residue.

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Understanding the reaction thermochemistry as well as formatting the empirical data about element distribution in gas-metal-slag phases is essential for creating a good model for aluminothermic and carbothermic reaction. In this paper modeling of material and energy balance of these reactions is described with the algorithm. The software, based on this model is basically made for production of high purity ferro alloys through aluminothermic process and then extended for some carbothermic process. Model validation is demonstrated with production of FeTi, FeW, FeB and FeMo in aluminothermic and reduction of mill scale, pyrite cinders and magnetite fines in carbothermic process.

Applications of solvent extraction operations and processes play one of the most important roles in Hydrometallurgy. Therefore, in this brief review, some general concepts for selected representative applications are discussed. Also, one particular entrainment problem solution is discussed in some more details. At first, the selected general concepts for metal production of copper and uranium from their ores are presented. Then after, the leaching-solvent extraction-electro winning process for copper is shown. Finally, the extraction of uranium from wet phosphoric acid is discussed.

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