The Leaching Behaviours of Chalcopyrite with Distinct Genetic Types

The copper extraction yield from chemical leaching of chalcopyrite depends on temperature, pH, and the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), as well as on the different genetic type of the chalcopyrite used. The chemical leaching characteristics of chalcopyrite from marine volcanic type and porphyry type were studied. It was found that the intermediates of marine volcanic chalcopyrite and porphyry chalcopyrite elucidated from the MLA were elemental sulphur and non-stoichiometric minerals, such as Cu3.5Fe4S2.5, Cu5Fe4S and Cu3.5Fe1.5S5. The results suggested that the main difference between marine volcanic chalcopyrite and porphyry chalcopyrite is the rates of copper and iron ions dissolution from chalcopyrite crystal lattice.