Application of attrition grinding in alkaline leaching of tetrahedrite

This paper is concerned with the leaching of calcined tetrahedrite in a combined mechanochemical and chemical regime. The application of alkaline Na2S solution enables us, at temperatures of 84–96°C and atmospheric pressure, to achieve total extraction of Sb and As with leaching times of 15–20 min for Sb and 20–40 min for As. The applied liquid/solid ratio (4.8–2.5) and energy inputs (82–157 kWh/t) are acceptable from the view-point of plant operation. The process of mechanochemical leaching, including simultaneous intensive grinding and leaching, enhances the extraction of metals from refractory tetrahedrite.