Kinetics of chalcopyrite galvanic leaching using sulfate medium at low temperature in the GalvanoxTM process

In this research, the dissolution of chalcopyrite was investigated under atmospheric pressure, with a sulfate medium at low temperatures, in 30°C to 50°C. In the galvanic interaction between chalcopyrite and pyrite, pyrite is used as a leaching catalyst. Effects of different parameters such as temperature, stirring speed, pyrite to chalcopyrite ratio, particle size, and solution potential were examined. Results showed that maximum copper recovery in low temperature was achieved after 24 hours, under the following condition: stirring speed of 800rpm, pyrite to chalcopyrite ratio of 4, solution potential of 440mV, temperature of 50°C, and particle size of -38 microns. In addition, kinetic studies indicated that chalcopyrite dissolution with pyrite followed the shrinking core model, and the reaction was controlled by the surface reaction. Activation energy (Ea) was calculated as 88 kJ/mol.