Chemical leaching difference characteristics of chalcopyrite with different genetic types

The chemical leaching different characteristics of chalcopyrite with different genetic types(marine volcanic and porphyry) were investigated by XRD, XPS and MLA analysis. The results show that the difference between marine volcanic chalcopyrite and porphyry chalcopyrite during chemical leaching is generated by intermediate formed on the surface of chalcopyrite with different chemical and structural properties. Nonstoichiometric intermediate products, such as Cu3.5Fe4S2.5, Cu5Fe4 S and Cu3.5Fe1.5S5, also form during two kinds of chalcopyrite leaching, besides sulphur S8. The main intermediate product of marine volcanic chalcopyrite is Cu3.5Fe4S2.5, while Cu3.5Fe1.5S5 is mainly in porphyry chalcopyrite. The leaching mechanism of marine volcanic chalcopyrite and porphyry chalcopyrite is different. During the leaching process of marine volcanic chalcopyrite, Cu2+ and Fe2+ are dissolved simultaneously after the broken of Cu—S bond attacked by proton. However, Fe2+ dissolves preferentially after the porphyry chalcopyrite is corroded by H+.