METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY RECOVERING LEAD FROM COMPLEX SULPHIDIC NON-FERROUS METAL CONCENTRATES

摘要

The invention relates to a method for selectively recovering lead from complex sulphidic non-ferrous metal concentrates in an electrolytic cell incorporating at least one anode and one cathode and an electrolyte containing chlorine ions, at a temperature beneath the boiling point of the concentrate-containing electrolyte and at a pH beneath 7. Sulphur present in the concentrate is converted substantially into elementary form, and at least the major part of the lead con-tent passes into solution and is then precipitated selectively by cathodic pro-cesses. The invention is characterized in that the concentrate is slurried in anelectrolyte having a chloride-ion strength above about 2 M, preferably in the range 3-5 M, to form a suspension which is caused to flow into contact with or adjacent the surface of anodes located in the cell; and in that the highest possible anodic current density considering required selectivity is maintained during the electro-winning process.