Arsenic removal from copper ores and concentrates through alkaline leaching in NaHS media

Removal of arsenic impurity in ores and concentrates containing copper (Cu) through alkaline leaching in NaHS media was investigated in this work. Samples containing Cu from 10 to 40 wt.% and arsenic from 0.8 to 14 wt.% with enargite (Cu 3AsS 4) as main arsenic bearing mineral were used as starting materials and all leaching tests were conducted at 80 °C under normal atmospheric pressure. Solution and/or slurry potential and pH were maintained consistently below − 500 mV (SHE) and above 12.5 respectively with the addition of NaHS and NaOH, creating a reducing environment for arsenic dissolution and conversion of Cu 3AsS 4 to Cu 2S. Pulp density ranged from 100 to 1000 g/L, NaHS and NaOH reagents were added at 50–200 g/L each and leaching time varied from 10 min to 10 h. Characterization of solid samples (original and leach residue) by XRD and XRF analyses and chemical analysis of both solid and solution samples by ICP analysis showed that Cu 3AsS 4 in the starting material was completely decomposed or transformed to Cu 2S and arsenic released into solution as As (III)/As 3+ ions (Na 3AsS 3). Over 90% of arsenic in the starting materials was removed within 1–3 h for materials with arsenic content from 1 to 4 wt.% and within 3–6 h for materials with arsenic content over 4–10 wt.%. Dissolution and analysis of leach residues obtained after leaching by ICP indicated that arsenic in the starting materials has been reduced in all cases to below 0.5 wt.%. In all test conditions dissolution of Cu and Fe into solution was not detected, indicating selective leaching of arsenic. NaHS application for removal of arsenic in Cu-ores and/or concentrates was demonstrated in this work and further research is in progress to develop a process to include treatment of arsenic leached into solution.