Carrollite Leaching in H2SO4-NaClO3 Media at Atmospheric Pressure

A new extraction process suitable for treating refractory CuCo₂S₄ under atmospheric pressure acidic leaching conditions was investigated. The effect of variables such as oxidant species, liquid-to-solid ratio, leaching time, oxidizing agent and mineral quality ratio, H₂SO₄ concentration, temperature and sodium chloride concentration on the extraction efficiency of Co, Cu and Fe from CuCo₂S₄ were investigated. Under optimal conditions including P₈₀-P₉₀ of the sample was d < 0.0074 mm, stirring speed of 400 rpm, leaching time of 8 h with sodium chlorate (NaClO₃) and mineral quality ratio of 0.5, 2 mol/L H₂SO₄, liquid-to-solid ratio of 7, leaching temperature of 90°C and 4 mol/L sodium chloride. The leaching efficiency of Co, Cu, and Fe were nearly 97.08%, 100%, and 92.45%, respectively. Furthermore, the contents of cobalt and copper in leaching residue were all less than 0.4 wt.%, which satisfies the requirements of industrial production.