Leaching Behaviour of Metals from a Sphalerite Concentrate in Sulfuric Acid-Oxygen System

Leaching behaviors of zinc, copper, indium and iron from a sphalerite concentrate in sulfuric acid-oxygen system has been investigated in the present paper. Various parameters were studied including particle size, concentration of sulfuric acid, partial pressure of oxygen, leaching temperature, and leaching time. The experimental data indicated that under the typical plant conditions employed up to 99% zinc , 85% copper and 90% indium extraction were achieved. The mineralogical analysis of the residue showed that the main minerals are elemental sulphur, unreacted pyrite and quartz, the amount of sulphide sulphur oxidized to sulfur during leaching is 81%. This process provides an effective way for the extraction of zinc, copper and indium from sphalerite concentrate.