HYDROMETALLURGICAL PROCESS FOR EXTRACTION OF COPPER AND SULPHUR FROM COPPER IRON SULPHIDES

A process for the hydrometallurigical extraction of copper values and sulphur in elemental form from copper-iron sulphides in which the sulphides are subjected to an activation leach with an acidic copper sulphate solution whereby insoluble simple copper sulphides and a solution of ferrous sulphate are obtained. After a liquid-solids separation, for the effective separation of iron from copper values, the ferrous sulphate in the solution is oxidized and hydrolyzed to precipitate the iron, which is removed from the process, and to regenerate acid solution containing sulphuric acid. The copper sulphides are treated with an oxygen-bearing gas and with said regenerated sulphuric acid solution in a multiple-stage oxidizing leach to oxidize the sulphide sulphur to elemental sulphur and to liberate the copper as cupric ion for subsequent recovery in metallic form.