Leaching of chalcopyrite with acidified ferric chloride and carbon tetrachloride addition

Leaching characteristics of chalcopyrite concentrate from Cuba were investigated in acidified FeCl3 and acidified FeCl3 + CCl4. Carbon tetrachloride was used as solvent for the elemental sulfur produced during leaching. The tests shows higher extraction for copper in the presence of CCl4. Leaching in the absence of CCl4 is a chemically controlled reaction with an apparent activation energy of 68.9 kJ/mol in the temperature range 45–80°C. For the diffusional controlled regime in the low temperature range (3.5–45°C) an apparent value of the activation energy of 1.1 Kj/mol has been estimated. In the presence of CCl4 the activation energy value amounts to 31.2 kJ/mol in the temperature range 45–80°C which indicates a diffusion controlled process.