Kinetic study of pyrite oxidation in basic carbonate solutions

The general goal of this experimental study was to find ways to control the unwanted oxidation of pyrite during the in situ leaching of uranium ores. The authors investigated the effect of particle size, leaching pH, flow rate, total carbonate concentration, and cation type of column leaching rates. The work appears to be the first dealing with pyrite leaching in test columns at high pH in which the identity and percentages of the various eluted sulfur compounds was measured. The most interesting of the experimental observations was the ultimate ceasing of the pyrite reaction when using an ammonia leachant.