Chemical‐technological processing of the complex barite–sulphide ore

Abstract

The investigation results of the processing possibilities of the complex barite‐sulphide ore from “Bobija” deposit (Serbia) for the sake of lead, zinc and copper extraction are presented in this paper. Through x‐ray diffraction and microscopic examination it is concluded that: (a) it is not possible to enrich the ore for obtaining any selective or a collective sulphide concentrate using the conventional methods of mineral processing, and (b) it is necessary to include chemical and technological procedures for ore processing. Examination of reduction roasting with carbon addition for the barite (BaSO4) reduction into good soluble BaS is performed. After water leaching of BaS from the calcined ore, the solid residual is submitted to the magnetic separation procedure for the pyrrhotite (Fex−1Sx) separation, which is formed after pyrite (FeS2) dissociation, and for obtaining a collective sulphide concentrate Pb–Zn–Cu. Finally, the sulphide concentrate is leached with the solution of H2SO4 in the presence of oxygen at elevated temperatures and pressures in an autoclave. Through their sulphide oxidation zinc, copper and iron were dissolved, while lead sulphide remained as insoluble in the solid residual after leaching. The influence of the working parameters on the degree of leaching of zinc, copper and iron is examined.

Leaching of chalcopyrite concentrate by hydrogen peroxide in sulphuric acid solution

“…Pirometalurška proizvodnja bakra iziskuje utrošak velike količine energije i rezultira oslobađanjem velike količine otpadnih gasova, posebno sumpor-dioksida [2]. U nekim slučajevima, zbog složenih morfoloških karakteristika i kompleksnog mineraloškog sastava, pojedine rude bakra nije moguće tertirati konvencionalnim pirometalurškim procesima [3]. Zbog značajno manjeg utroška energije i uticaja na životnu sredinu, hidrometalurgija predstavlja tehnologiju izbora za tretiranje kompleksnih polimetaličnih koncentrata i koncentrata koji sadrže to- ksične primese, kao što su arsen, antimon, kadmijum i dr. Napori istraživača širom sveta su fokusirani na unapređenje efikasnosti hidrometalurških procesa, što bi omogućilo njihovu širu primenu.…”

Kinetics of barite reduction from refractory barite-sulphide ore

“…The structure and composition of such mineral ores (which include the deposit of the refractory sulphidebarite ore "Bobija", East Serbia) prevent solving the problem in this simple way. This deposit consists of a number of ore bodies with different morphological and structuraltextural characteristics: the barite, barite-quartz-pyrite, and pyrite-polymetallic paragenesis [1][2][3].…”

Complex sulphide-barite ore leaching in ferric chloride solution

“…4-6) show that the quantity of leached lead, zinc and copper increases when the temperature is increased from 80 to 100 C, reaches a maximum at 100 C, thereafter it falls. The reason for leaching decrease at higher temperatures is melting of elemental sulphur, which is formed during the leaching (1) and melts at 119 C. The molten sulphur generates a viscous layer, surrounding the ore particle, which is the limiting factor for diffusion of leaching reagent.…”

“…These minerals are generally separated from each other by flotation and treated by conventional pyrometallurgical processes. Sometimes, when it is difficult to prepare flotation concentrates of the individual minerals, then it is easier to prepare bulk concentrates [1].…”

“…This studied indicated that the ferric chloride solutions could rapidly, but unselectively leach valuable metals such as copper, zinc and lead from sulphide minerals, leaving the bulk of the pyrite and sulphur. The reaction mechanism of complex copper-zinc-lead sulphide concentrate leaching in ferric chloride solution may be described by (1) MeS + 2FeCl 3 …”