Autoclave oxidation leaching of sulfide materials containing copper, nickel and/or cobalt

摘要

A process is provided for treating a matte for selective extraction of nonferrous metals using a single stage oxidative pressure leach wherein leaching is carried out in a continuous manner and relatively mild conditions on an aqueous slurry of the matte having a specific sulfur adjustment, having copper present in the aqueous phase, and having a final pH of less than DIFFERENCE 4 but not less than DIFFERENCE 3.