QUICK GUIDE TO SEQUENTIAL LEACH FOR COPPER ORES

Sequential Copper Leach In combination with Mineralogical

packages are very useful tools
for revealing the mix between
Oxides, secondary Sulphides
and relatively insoluble
Sulphides.
MSALABS | Geochemical Laboratory Services
data, sequential leaches can reveal
time saving information about the
deposit. This can save money as one
progresses in an exploration program.
 MSA L A B S OF F E R S SE QU E NT I A L L E AC H PAC K AG E S TO
DETERM I N E T H E AP P R OX I M AT E C O N S T IT U E NTS O F
COPPE R O R E

Typical minerals extracted by each stage of the sequential leach are

shown in Table 1. In general, Sulphuric acid ( H2SO4 ) is the first leach,
followed by a Cyanide leach (eg NaCN). The residue is subsequently
assayed by total digestion with Atomic Absorption finish.

In summary, the Sulphuric acid attacks copper oxide species, the

Cyanide attacks secondary sulphides and Bornite minerals; while
the total digestion attacks the relatively insoluble sulphide ores and
chalcopyrite minerals. Information garnered from this process will
enable a better understanding of the metallurgical processes required to
successfully extract copper from the ore. A citric acid (C6H8O7 ) digest
will attack oxide and non sulphide copper minerals. It is a weaker acid
than H2SO4.

INFORMATION GARNERED
FROM THE SEQUENTIAL LEACH
PROCESS WILL ENABLE A
BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE
METALLURGICAL PROCESSES
REQUIRED TO SUCCESSFULLY
EXTRACT COPPER FROM THE ORE.

MSAL A BS | Quick g u i d e t o S e q u e n t i a l Le a ch f o r C o p p er Ores

Table 1:

APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGE DISSOLUTION OF

COPPER MINERALS IN SULPHURIC ACID AND SODIUM CYANIDE SOLUTION

Mineral Approximate composition % Dissolution in H2SO4* % Dissolution in NaCN*

OXIDES
Atacamite Cu2Cl.(OH)3 100 100
Azurite 2CuCO3.Cu(OH)2 100 100
Cuprite Cu2O 70 100
Chrysocolla CuSiO3.2(H2O) 100 45
Malachite CuCO3.Cu(OH)2 100 100
Native Copper Cu 5 100
Tenorite CuO 100 100

SECONDARY SULPHIDES

Chalcocite Cu2S 3 100

Covellite CuS 5 100

PRIMARY SULPHIDES
Bornite Cu5FeS4 2 100
Chalcopyrite CuFeS2 2 7
Notes: ^ Citric acid leach is also available
*-Approximate dissolution after 1 hour of leaching pulverized material With thanks to the SME for the use of this table

Method codes and descriptions:

Cu by citric acid leach SQL-CA1

Cu by sulfufric acid leach SQL-AS1
Cu by sulfufric acid leach/sodium sulfite leach SQL-AS2
Cu residue by 4-acid, ICP-ES finish SQL-RE1
Cu residue by calculation SQL-RE2
Total Cu by 4-acid, icp ES finish ICF-6Cu
Sequential leach package SQL-PK1
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