Method of selectively bringing into solution the non-ferrous metals

Abstract

The invention provides a method for selectively solubilizing the non-ferrous metals contained in sulphurized ores and concentrates, with regard to the iron and sulphur therein, by subjecting the ore or concentrate to lixiviation with an aqueous solution of cupric chloride at a temperature above 50.degree. C., preferably at a temperature between 70.degree. C. and 105.degree. C., and then regenerating said aqueous solution in situ at atmospheric pressure by means of air and a regeneration agent selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid and ferrous chloride. The invention also contemplates the preferable inclusion in the aqueous cupric chloride solution of an agent for solubilizing cuprous chloride selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal chloride, an alkaline earth metal chloride, ammonium chloride, and ferrous chloride. When the regeneration agent is hydrochloric acid, the pH of the aqueous cupric chloride solution is at most 1 in the presence of ferrous chloride and at most 3 in the absence of ferrous chloride. When the regeneration agent is ferrous chloride, the pH of the aqueous cupric chloride solution ranges between 1 and 3, the temperature of the solution exceeds 50.degree. C., and the solution contains at least 1g/l of cuprous ions and at least 2g/l of ferrous ions, with the result that geothite is precipitated and may be separated, and the non-ferrous metals isolated as the aqueous solutions of the metal chlorides.