Verfahren zur Behandlung von kupferhaltigen und eisenhaltigen Sulfiden

摘要

The responsiveness of copper and iron containing sulphide complexes to leaching by aqueous acid under oxidizing conditions to obtain copper values, is improved by heating the sulphide complex with elemental sulphur at 300-600 DEG C. for a time that is sufficient for a portion of the sulphur to be taken up by the complex. The complex may be chalcopyrite or bomite, and from about 0.5-1.0 moles of sulphur per mole of chalcopyrite, is used. The complex which has been treated as above may be leached in aqueous sulphuric acid under oxidizing conditions at a temperature below 150 DEG C. to extract copper. Elemental sulphur may be used, or alternatively a sulphur containing compound which at the temperature of the subsequent heating step, will decompose to provide elemental sulphur within the reaction zone.