Kinetic parameters for the process of sulfatization roasting and leaching of copper–lead matte

In this paper the results of the copper–lead matte investigations are presented. The investigated copper–lead matte is an intermediate product of lead production in TREPCA‐Zvecan. In the first part of the paper the characterization of the starting material is presented, consisting of chemical composition analysis, scanning electron microscopy and the X‐ray diffractometry. Using the results of the above analysis optimal conditions for sulfatization roasting and leaching of roasted copper–lead matte in water were determined. In this manner, the optimal roasting temperature was determined to be 600°C, during a time period of 150 min, providing 57% of CuSO4. Optimal conditions for leaching of obtained roasted material are: leaching temperature 125°C, time period 30 min and liquid‐to‐solid ratio of 5:1. Copper utilization during leaching under these conditions is near 95.3%. In the second part of the paper kinetics parameters are presented, describing the process of sulfatization roasting of the mattes at a temperature interval of 450–650°C and leaching in water.