Biomass-derived activated carbon as catalyst in the leaching of metals from a copper sulfide concentrate

Chalcopyrite is the resource with highest amount of Cu content representing around 70–80% known reserves in world. However, chalcopyrite like other copper sulfides, usually found deposits grades 0.4–0.5% copper. The exploitation these using traditional flotation methods followed by pyrometallurgical treatment concentrate at limit economic viability. Hydrometallurgical route would be more suitable for treating low-graded sulfide ores. refractory ferric/sulfuric acid media and shows slow dissolution rates. For this a number researches were carried out to accelerate kinetics leaching adding pyrite, iron powder, nanosized silica, coal activated carbon. main objective present work was study use one biomass-derived carbon as catalysts from chalcopyrite. Sulfuric solution pH 1 5 g L−1 Fe3+ used agent. Experiments performed 90 °C 250 rpm, during 48 96 h. Concentration Cu, Zn, As, Sb Co liquid phase determined order evaluate their extraction degree, whereas solid residues characterized SEM-EDS XRD. presence significantly increased copper, decreasing arsenic. Furthermore, led lower amounts crystalline sulfur final residue.