Procedure for leaching copper concentrates under pressure at room temperature by forming a reactive gel in a sulfate chloride medium

摘要

Chemical procedure to leach copper concentrates in the presence of a concentrated solution of sulfates and chlorides, which is characterized by forming a high reactivity chemical paste containing a high concentration of ions in the liquid phase of the paste, which after some time react with the copper concentrates and form a series of soluble salts, which are extracted by means of a simple wash. To carry out this procedure, a mixing equipment, capable of handling high viscosity liquids, is used. The total mixing time is some 5 minutes, after which the paste is poured into a rectangular mold with a length of several hundred meters per side, resembling due to its size a leaching pile or a sun evaporation well, and is left settling and breathing, that is, spreading the oxygen required by the reactions. ??During the settling time, water and sulfuric acid is added at intervals for the purpose to replace the amount consumed by the reactions taking place during the aeration, until said reactions virtually end. This treatment results in a dry, very resistant mass, containing the copper extracted in form of chlorine salts, and sulfate. IMAGE