Difference in dissolution between germanium and zinc during the oxidative pressure leaching of sphalerite

The difference in dissolution between germanium and zinc during oxidative pressure leaching of germanium-bearing sphalerite was evaluated in laboratory-scale experiments. The effect of temperature and time on germanium hydrolysis, coprecipitation with silica, and coprecipitation with iron oxides was investigated. Experimental results show coprecipitation with silica is the most important factor, followed by coprecipitaion with iron, and finally germanium hydrolysis, causing germanium losses of 9%, 5% and 2%, respectively.