Treatment of Lead Sulphide Bearing Minerals

摘要

A process is described for solubilizing lead contained in ores mineralized with sulphidic minerals by in-situ leaching with an acetic acid and acetate containing solution in presence of an oxidant. The in-situ leaching is conducted by means of drillholes in the ore body. In another embodiment the acetic acid and acetate containing solution is percolated through a bed of crushed untreated rock or unconsolidated mineral particles, mill tailings and/or agglomerated or unagglomerated sulphidic lead containing waste material, forming a pile or a layer in an open vat, in presence of an oxidant. Lead is recovered from the pregnant lead acetate containing solution and the solution may subsequently be recycled to further leaching of lead sulphidic minerals or lead sulphide containing particles.