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To enhance the leaching of chalcopyrite concentrates, this study evaluated a new process for extracting copper using iodized solutions and sulfuric acid diluted in seawater without pressure or high temperatures. The work involved a leaching test carried out under various conditions by varying the concentrations of chloride ions, H 2 SO 4 , and an evenly distributed oxygen supply in an aeration system. It was demonstrated that Cl - ion addition could promote the chalcopyrite-leaching process. The leaching efficiency of copper reached 70% after 96 h. However, a chloride ion dosage excess can have the opposite effect on extraction, reducing copper recovery. XRD and SEM-EDS results showed that cuprous chloride (CuCl) was formed at high dosages (>0.5 M); meanwhile, at a lower dosage, elemental sulfur (S) was formed in the presence of sulfuric acid solution and seawater medium. In contrast, in an aerated system, surface roughness markedly increased due to continuous oxidation on the surface of the ore. This change in morphology and the high value of the redox potential, given by the aerated system and the acidic environment, allowed copper recovery of up to 70% after 96 h. The results showed that an aerated system is the most effective factor in chalcopyrite concentrate leaching.

One of the main problems in processing chalcopyrite ore with hydrometallurgical methods is its refractoriness, which is due to the formation of a layer that inhibits the contact of the ore with the leaching solution, thus reducing the dissolution rate. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the leaching potential of iodide ions in copper extraction from chalcopyrite concentrate in an acidic seawater medium. Leaching tests were carried out in glass reactors stirred at 45 °C. Parameters such as iodide salt concentration and acidity were evaluated in ranges of 0-5000 ppm and 0-1.0 M, respectively. According to the results obtained, adding iodide ions to a medium acid enhances the leaching kinetics in the chalcopyrite concentrate, observing that it improves copper extraction at low concentrations of 100 ppm KI compared to high concentrations of 5000 ppm KI. As a result, part of the iodide required to oxidize copper tends to sublimate or is associated with other ions producing iodinated compounds such as CuI. Copper extraction reached 45% within the first 96 h, while at 216 h, it reached an extraction of close to 70% copper. The recovery rate improves at potentials between 600 and 650 mV, while at lower potentials, the copper extraction decreases. The mineral surface was analyzed using SEM/EDS and XRD analyses for the identification of precipitates on the surface, finding porous elemental sulfur and precipitated jarosite. An increase in iodide ions improves the leaching kinetics in the chalcopyrite concentrate, observing that it improves copper extraction at low concentrations of 100 ppm KI compared to high concentrations of 5000 ppm KI. As a result, part of the iodide required to oxidize copper tends to sublimate or is associated with other ions producing iodinated compounds such as CuI. Copper extraction reached 45% within the first 96 h, while at 216 h, it reached an extraction of close to 70% copper. The recovery rate improves at potentials between 600 and 650 mV, while at lower potentials, the copper extraction decreases. The mineral surface was analyzed using SEM/EDS and XRD analyses for the identification of precipitates on the surface, finding porous elemental sulfur and precipitated jarosite., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

In the present work an intense bibliographic search is developed, with updated information on the microscopic fundamentals that govern the behavior of flotation operations of chalcopyrite, the main copper mineral in nature. In particular, the effect caused by the presence of pyrite, a non-valuable mineral, but challenging for the operation due to its ability to capture a portion of collector and float, decreasing the quality of the concentrate, is addressed. This manuscript discusses the main chemical and physical mechanisms involved in the phenomena of reagent adsorption on the mineral surface, the impact of pH and type of alkalizing agent, and the effect of pyrite depressants, some already used in the industry and others under investigation. Modern collector reagents are also described, for which, although not yet implemented on an industrial scale, promising results have been obtained in the laboratory, including better copper recovery and selectivity, and even some green reagents present biodegradable properties that generate a better environmental perspective for mineral processing.