Acid Leaching of Chalcopyrite in the Presence of Ozone

The kinetics of leaching of chalcopyrite concentrate with ozone as an oxidizing agent in an acid solution was studied. The morphology of the leached chalcopyrite was also investigated. The leaching of chalcopyrite follows the parabolic law.The use of ozone as an oxidizing agent establishes conditions under which no elemental sulfur on leached surfaces can form. The kinetics of leaching decrease with temperature because the solubility of ozone in the solution decreases with temperature. The results show that ozone is the best oxidizing agent among agents used in acidic oxidizing leaching of chalcopyrite and can be applied in pilot plant and full scale operations.