Reduction of copper content in the molybdenite concentrate

摘要

Methods and systems for removing copper minerals from a molybdenite concentrate. One embodiment provides leaching copper from the molybdenite concentrate with a leaching solution comprising ferric chloride, removing molybdenite from the leaching solution, introducing an acid into the leaching solution and introducing O₂, O₃, or a combination of both, into the leaching solution. A method for regenerating ferric chloride in a leaching solution is also provided. One embodiment provides adding a leaching solution comprising Fe(II) ions, Fe(III) ions, or a combination of both, to a mixture of mineral sulfides, introducing an acid into the leaching solution, and introducing O₂, O₃, or a combination of both, into the leaching solution.