Passivation of chalcopyrite during its chemical leaching with ferric ion at 68 °C

The passivation of chalcopyrite in the presence of ferric sulphate solutions was investigated at 68 °C. The effect of different variables (pulp density, pH and the presence of oxygen) on both the copper dissolution rate and the formation of solid compounds was studied. The leaching tests were carried out in stirred flasks at 180 rpm with 100 mL of a Fe3+/Fe2+ sulphate solution, varying the pulp density between 0.1 and 5% and the pH between 0.5 and 2.0 and both in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Ferric ion seems to be responsible for the oxidation of chalcopyrite but also promotes its passivation. Ferrous ion plays a key role in the process by controlling the nucleation and precipitation of jarosites, which finally cause the passivation of chalcopyrite.