Leaching of chalcopyrite concentrate in hydrogen peroxide solution

The leaching conditions of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) concentrate in a hydrogen peroxide medium were investigated by studying the effects of its leaching parameters, such as stirring speed, temperature, hydrogen peroxide concentration and the particle size of the concentrate on Cu extraction. It was found that stirring speed has no effect on the leaching. Copper extraction from chalcopyrite is directly proportional to hydrogen peroxide concentration, but the extraction decreases at temperatures above 60°C. The maximum copper extraction was obtained with the following conditions without stirring: 240 min of leaching time, 3.0 M hydrogen peroxide concentration, 40°C leaching temperature and 53-75 m particle size fraction.