Chalcopyrite Dissolution at 650 mV and 750 mV in the Presence of Pyrite

Metals

Yubiao Li²  Gujie Qian¹  Jun Li¹  Andrea R. Gerson¹ 

[1] Minerals and Materials Science & Technology, Mawson Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia; E-Mails:;School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, China

关键词: chalcopyrite;    pyrite;    galvanic interaction;    dissolution;   

DOI  :  10.3390/met5031566

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The dissolution of chalcopyrite in association with pyrite in mine waste results in the severe environmental issue of acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD). To better understand chalcopyrite dissolution, and the impact of chalcopyrite’s galvanic interaction with pyrite, chalcopyrite dissolution has been examined at 75 °C, pH 1.0, in the presence of quartz (as an inert mineral) and pyrite. The presence of pyrite increased the chalcopyrite dissolution rate by more than five times at E_h of 650 mV (SHE) (Cu recovery 2.5 cf. 12% over 132 days) due to galvanic interaction between chalcopyrite and pyrite. Dissolution of Cu and Fe was stoichiometric and no pyrite dissolved. Although the chalcopyrite dissolution rate at 750 mV (SHE) was approximately four-fold greater (Cu recovery of 45% within 132 days) as compared to at 650 mV in the presence of pyrite, the galvanic interaction between chalcopyrite and pyrite was negligible. Approximately all of the sulfur from the leached chalcopyrite was converted to S⁰ at 750 mV, regardless of the presence of pyrite. At this E_h approximately 60% of the sulfur associated with pyrite dissolution was oxidised to S⁰ and the remaining 40% was released in soluble forms, e.g., SO₄²⁻.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.