Copper Sulfation from Enargite Roasting Using Coal and Fayalite Slag Mixture

Abstract

In this work, the roasting of an enargite mix was carried out in oxidative conditions. The temperature range of the study was 773–973 K. The mixture had a 4:6:6 molar ratio of enargite, magnetite and coal, respectively. The roasting was made in an open atmosphere. The time was 1 h for each isothermal test. The effect of temperature and weight loss were studied. The results indicate that the temperature affects the products. At 773–873 K, the copper phases were sulfates. When the temperature was increased to 973 K, all the present phases were oxidized, and no arsenic phase was encountered in the XRDs. Therefore, this process is an excellent alternative for roasting copper concentrates with enargite, removing arsenic in the gas phase and generating a calcine that could then go to lixiviation to finally recover the copper through electrowinning.