Assessing the Feasibility of Utilizing a Method for Processing Oxidized Zinc Ores
Abstract
To address the challenge of depleting reserves of sulfide ores, we investigated an efficient four-stage countercurrent sulfuric acid leaching method for oxidized zinc mineral processing. This recommended approach enables the achievement of a zinc content in the target solution of 61.55 g/dm3 concentration and zinc extraction efficiency from the ore into the sulfate solution of approximately 95.00%. The specific consumption capacity of sulfuric acid for ore leaching amounted to 0.56 g/g ore. Comparing the developed method with the direct-flow method, it allows for a 12.5% reduction in sulfuric acid consumption. Optimal parameters for the proposed leaching method were selected for the studied ore. Throughout the entire experiment, a solid-to-liquid phase was maintained at a ratio of 1:4 with the initial ore, at a temperature of 40°C for the first three stages of leaching and 25°C for the fourth and final stage. The concentration of sulfuric acid solutions at the first three stages were 98 g/dm3, 28 g/dm3, and 14 g/dm3 respectively, while the fourth stage treatment was carried out with water. Each leaching stage had a duration of 10 minutes. Based on our experimental studies, we have developed the fundamental process scheme for the four-stage countercurrent sulfuric acid leaching of oxidized zinc ore.