Influence of grain size on chalcopyrite ore leaching in acidic medium

Abstract

This work presents an investigation of column leaching of a chalcopyrite ore using sulphuric acid where dissolved oxygen and iron(III) ions play the role of oxidants. The investigations were carried out in PVC columns, diameter 110 mm and height 1000 mm, by percolation of the leaching solution through the ore layer. The influence of ore grain size on the degree of leaching and acid consumption was examined. The formation of gypsum on limestone results in the comminution of the initial raw material during leaching. The grain size of chalcopyrite was found to have no important influence on the leaching rate of copper. A higher consumption of sulphuric acid was found for the fractions (-3+1) mm, (−5+0) mm and (−5+3) mm than for the fractions (−10+5) mm, (−20+10) mm and (−20+0) mm. .

Keywords

• chalcopyrite ore
• column leaching
• grain size