| Title |
Removal of Pyrrhotite from High-Sulphur Tailings Utilising Non-Oxidative H2SO4 Leaching |
| ID_Doc |
18154 |
| Authors |
Mäkinen, J; Pietek, G; Miettinen, V; Khoshkhoo, M; Sundkvist, JE; Kinnunen, P |
| Title |
Removal of Pyrrhotite from High-Sulphur Tailings Utilising Non-Oxidative H2SO4 Leaching |
| Year |
2022 |
| Published |
Minerals, 12.0, 12 |
| DOI |
10.3390/min12121610 |
| Abstract |
Tailings are a residual material stream produced in the mineral processing of ores. They may contain a major sulphide content that increases the risk of acid rock drainage (ARD) but may also host valuable metals. Tank bioleaching is a technically viable method to treat sulphide tailings. However, a significant pyrrhotite content may cause increased acid and oxidant consumption and result in longer retention times in a bioleaching process. In this work, non-oxidative H2SO4 leaching of pyrrhotite is studied for high-sulphur tailings, both as a pre-treatment method and to consider the recovery possibilities of Fe and S. Continuous mode validation tests, conducted at 90 degrees C, pH 1.0 and 106 min retention time, resulted in a complete pyrrhotite dissolution with 427 kg/t acid consumption (as 95% H2SO4). Unwanted dissolution of Ni and Zn was taking place with a leaching yield of 21.5% and 13.5%, respectively, while Co and Cu dissolution was negligible. The continuous mode tests signalled that by shortening the retention time, Ni dissolution could be dramatically decreased. The non-oxidative pyrrhotite leaching produced a H2S-rich gas stream, which could be utilised in later metals' recovery processes after bioleaching to precipitate (CoNi)S, ZnS and CuS products. The non-oxidative pyrrhotite leaching also produced a FeSO4 solution, with approximately 20 g/L of Fe. |
| Author Keywords |
pyrrhotite; pyrite; cobalt; nickel; leaching |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) |
| EID |
WOS:000904500200001 |
| WoS Category |
Geochemistry & Geophysics; Mineralogy; Mining & Mineral Processing |
| Research Area |
Geochemistry & Geophysics; Mineralogy; Mining & Mineral Processing |
| PDF |
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/12/12/1610/pdf?version=1671588144
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