RECOVERY OF ZINC AND COPPER FROM A ZINC CONCENTRATE BY ATMOSPHERIC DIRECT LEACHING PROCESS

摘要

A sulphide zinc concentrate (Zn-40%) has been leached in sulphuric and chloride media to optimize the conditions for the recovery of zinc and copper. Previous results showed that extractions of 95% zinc and 20% copper can be achieved in just one stage, after two hours of leaching at 80°C with a solution 0.5M in Fe2(S04)3 and H2S04 and a solid/liquid ratio of 5%. This work presents the results obtained in the leaching experiments carried out in sulphuric and chloride media using two and three crosscurrent stages and a countercurrent process simulation for a solid/liquid ratio of 10%.