Recovery of base metals from sulphide ores and concentrates
A method of recovering base metals from sulphide ores and concentrates includes mixing the base metals ore with ferric salts, heating the mixture, adding water to form a pulp, and stirring and filtering the pulp.
1. A method of recovering base metals from sulphide ores, comprising:
mixing the sulfide ores with ferric salts having ratios between 50% by weight and 200% by weight to the base metals to form a mixture;
heating the mixture to temperatures between 400° C. and 600° C. for a period of 2 to 8 hours;
adding water to form a pulp; and
stirring the pulp.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the base metals are selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel and zinc.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the base metals comprise nickel.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ferric salts comprise ferric sulphide, or ferric chloride, or a mixture thereof.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ratio between the ferric salts are between 90% by weight and 120% by weight to the base metals.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein adding the water to the mixture forms the pulp with 10% by weight to 33% by weight solids.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein adding the water to the mixture forms the pulp with 20% by weight to 30% by weight solids.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein stirring the pulp further comprises stirring for a period of 1 to 5 hours.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein stirring the pulp further comprises stirring for a period of 2 to 4 hours.
10. A method of recovering base metals from sulphide ores, the method comprising:
mixing the sulfide ores with ferric salts whose ratios are between 50% by weight and 200% by weight to the base metals;
heating the mixture to temperatures between 400° C. and 600° C. for a period of 2 to 8 hours;
adding water to form a pulp; and
stirring the pulp;
wherein the base metals comprise zinc.