Sorption of nickel and copper from leach pulps of low-grade sulfide ores using Purolite S930 chelating resin

Investigations into an assessment of the efficiency of the sorption of copper and nickel, from the pulps deriving from the leaching of low-grade sulfide ores (Kingashsky deposit, Russia) by hydrochlorination, using the chelating resin Purolite S930, were carried out. The recovery characteristics obtained for the process solution were compared to that for synthetic solutions. At pH 2.7–3.0, copper, nickel, and cobalt recovery, for long resin contact times, exceeds 99%. For pulps, compared to that for the synthetic solution, a significant decrease in the rate of metal recovery was observed which is presumably related to the influence of silicic acid. The sorption concentration constants for copper, nickel, and hydrochloric acid and the resin loss due to attrition were estimated.