The aim of this study was to determine the structural, compositional, and mineralogical composition of carbonatitic copper sulfide concentrator plant streams. Three samples, each from a different stream(run of mine(RO...The aim of this study was to determine the structural, compositional, and mineralogical composition of carbonatitic copper sulfide concentrator plant streams. Three samples, each from a different stream(run of mine(ROM), concentrate, and tailings) of a copper concentrator were characterized using various techniques, including stereomicroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy(SEM) in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS), and optical microscopy. The results reveal that each stream possesses its own unique compositional features. Carbonate minerals associated with calcite and dolomite, followed by quartz, remain the major minerals in both the ROM and tails streams. In the ROM stream, chalcopyrite appears to occur as veins within the carbonatite-hosting ore body. Mineral phase mutation was discovered in the tails stream because magnetite formerly identified in the ROM as the primary iron oxide had evolved into hematite. This metamorphosis was likely promoted by the concentration process. The concentration process was effective, upgrading the chalcopyrite content from 2 wt% in the ROM stream to 58 wt% in the concentrate stream; it was accompanied by bornite(4 wt%), anilite(3 wt%), and digenite(2.5 wt%). In addition, the concentrate stream exhibited properties distinctive from those of the other streams. The FTIR analysis showed the existence of a sulfide group related to the chalcopyrite mineral. Free chalcopyrite grains were observed in the concentrate by SEM analysis, and their mineral presence was supported by the EDS analysis results. All characterization techniques corresponded well with each other regarding the structure, chemistry, and composition of the samples.展开更多
The dissolution of a carbonatitic chalcopyrite(CuFeS2)was studied in H_(2)SO_(4)−Fe_(2)(SO_(4))_(3)−FeSO_(4)−H_(2)O at varying pH values(0.5−2.5)and 25℃ for 12 h.Experiments were conducted with a size fraction of 53...The dissolution of a carbonatitic chalcopyrite(CuFeS2)was studied in H_(2)SO_(4)−Fe_(2)(SO_(4))_(3)−FeSO_(4)−H_(2)O at varying pH values(0.5−2.5)and 25℃ for 12 h.Experiments were conducted with a size fraction of 53−75μm.Low Cu recoveries,below 15%,were observed in all pH regimes.The results from the XRD,SEM−EDS,and optical microscopic(OM)analyses of the residues indicated that the dissolution proceeded through the formation of transient phases.Cu_(3.39)Fe_(0.61)S_(4) and Cu_(2)S were the intermediate phases at pH 0.5 and 1.0,respectively,whereas Cu_(5)FeS_(4) was the major mineral at pH 1.5 and 1.8.The thermodynamic modelling predicted the sequential formation of CuFeS_(2)→Cu_(5)FeS_(4)→Cu_(2)S→CuS.The soluble intermediates were Cu_(5)FeS_(4) and Cu2S,whilst,CuS and Cu_(3.39)Fe_(0.61)S_(4) were the refractory phases,supporting their cumulating behaviour throughout the dissolution.The obtained results suggest that the formation of CuS and Cu_(3.39)Fe_(0.61)S_(4) could contribute to the passive film formed during CuFeS_(2) leaching.展开更多
基金the North-West University (IREA Account) and the University of South Africa (CSET Special Research Fund) for the support and promotion of this research
基金the chemical engineering department at the North-West University for the support
文摘The aim of this study was to determine the structural, compositional, and mineralogical composition of carbonatitic copper sulfide concentrator plant streams. Three samples, each from a different stream(run of mine(ROM), concentrate, and tailings) of a copper concentrator were characterized using various techniques, including stereomicroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy(SEM) in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS), and optical microscopy. The results reveal that each stream possesses its own unique compositional features. Carbonate minerals associated with calcite and dolomite, followed by quartz, remain the major minerals in both the ROM and tails streams. In the ROM stream, chalcopyrite appears to occur as veins within the carbonatite-hosting ore body. Mineral phase mutation was discovered in the tails stream because magnetite formerly identified in the ROM as the primary iron oxide had evolved into hematite. This metamorphosis was likely promoted by the concentration process. The concentration process was effective, upgrading the chalcopyrite content from 2 wt% in the ROM stream to 58 wt% in the concentrate stream; it was accompanied by bornite(4 wt%), anilite(3 wt%), and digenite(2.5 wt%). In addition, the concentrate stream exhibited properties distinctive from those of the other streams. The FTIR analysis showed the existence of a sulfide group related to the chalcopyrite mineral. Free chalcopyrite grains were observed in the concentrate by SEM analysis, and their mineral presence was supported by the EDS analysis results. All characterization techniques corresponded well with each other regarding the structure, chemistry, and composition of the samples.
基金the Extraction Metallurgy Laboratory at the University of Johannesburg for equipment utilizationthe Department of Chemical Engineering at the North-West University for the support and promotion of this research.NSERC-DG, CFI, Public Works and Government Service, Canada (formally Devco arm of ECBC), the Industrial Research Chair of Mine Water Management at CBU, ACOA and IRAP grants
文摘The dissolution of a carbonatitic chalcopyrite(CuFeS2)was studied in H_(2)SO_(4)−Fe_(2)(SO_(4))_(3)−FeSO_(4)−H_(2)O at varying pH values(0.5−2.5)and 25℃ for 12 h.Experiments were conducted with a size fraction of 53−75μm.Low Cu recoveries,below 15%,were observed in all pH regimes.The results from the XRD,SEM−EDS,and optical microscopic(OM)analyses of the residues indicated that the dissolution proceeded through the formation of transient phases.Cu_(3.39)Fe_(0.61)S_(4) and Cu_(2)S were the intermediate phases at pH 0.5 and 1.0,respectively,whereas Cu_(5)FeS_(4) was the major mineral at pH 1.5 and 1.8.The thermodynamic modelling predicted the sequential formation of CuFeS_(2)→Cu_(5)FeS_(4)→Cu_(2)S→CuS.The soluble intermediates were Cu_(5)FeS_(4) and Cu2S,whilst,CuS and Cu_(3.39)Fe_(0.61)S_(4) were the refractory phases,supporting their cumulating behaviour throughout the dissolution.The obtained results suggest that the formation of CuS and Cu_(3.39)Fe_(0.61)S_(4) could contribute to the passive film formed during CuFeS_(2) leaching.
