Characterization of natural tetrahedrite/aqueous solution system by electrochemical techniques

Grez, Paula; Schrebler, Ricardo; Henríquez, Rodrigo; Cisternas, Regina; Orellana, Marco; Córdova, Ricardo

doi:10.1016/j.jelechem.2009.01.018

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…The elements As and Sb in the complex concentrates are considered noxious and often referred to as 'impurity elements,' owing to the general high toxicity of their compounds. [7,8] Consequently, the processing of ores bearing As and Sb raises serious environmental concerns. Also, the presence of these elements in the ore tends to degrade the properties of the refined final Cu.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Mineralogical Investigation on Volatilization of Impurity Elements from Cu-Rich Polymetallic Concentrates During Roasting in Inert Atmosphere

Prasad

McElroy

Lennartsson

et al. 2021

Metall Mater Trans B

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Four different Cu-rich polymetallic concentrates are tested for volatilization of Sb and As during laboratory-scale roasting. The experiments are performed between 200 °C and 700 °C, at intervals of 100 °C and in an inert atmosphere. Sb volatilization is much less (maximum approximately 45 pct) than As volatilization (maximum approximately 95 pct) in these conditions at 700 °C. As volatilization is however limited from the concentrate having As mainly in a tetrahedrite solid solution ((Cu,Ag,Fe,Zn)12(Sb,As)4S13). Sb and As retained in the roasted calcine are found in the low-melting liquid phase, formed at approximately 500 °C. This melt phase gets enlarged and enriched in Sb with an increase in temperature. However, there is noticeable As volatilization from this melt phase with the temperature approaching 700 °C. Furthermore, there is an early and relatively high Sb volatilization from the concentrate having Sb substantially as gudmundite. Micron-scale elemental redistribution in gudmundite in the 350 °C roasted calcine confirms its transformation at this temperature. Other Sb minerals did not undergo any detectable transformation at this temperature, suggesting that the significant Sb volatilization starting between 300 °C and 400 °C was primarily from gudmundite. This benign attribute of gudmundite featured in this work in the context of roasting should also be relevant from the geometallurgical perspective during concentrate production, where concentrates bearing Sb are considered substandard for further Cu extraction irrespective of the Sb mineralogy.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%