Nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxidation of porphyry copper ore with subsequent activated sulfuric acid-and chloride leaching of copper and noble metals

Malmyzh is a world-class and promising copper deposit in the Nanai district in the Khabarovsk Krai. The 2024–25 work schedule includes construction of a processing plant with an annual capacity of 90 Mt at the deposit. The main processing technology will be flotation, and heap leaching can be used for some ore types and grades. Deep-level mining may include in-situ leaching. Vertically, Malmyzh deposit contains three distinct zones of oxidized, complex and primary sulfide ore. Primary ore features different texture, structure and mineral composition, which conditions the difference in the process properties of the ore. Copper in this ore is mainly associated with chalcopyrite which resists leaching, and it is required to select flow chart, modes and parameters of leaching such that ensure effective dissolution of chalcopyrite. The percolation leaching tests of primary ore with activated compound solutions were carried out. Electrochemical and electrophotochemical activation of the leach solutions was implemented both before soaking of ore, for its oxidation and initial leaching, and directly prior to sprinkling. The total copper recovery is 78%, and this is a high result given the leaching resistance of primary ore. In this manner, processability of primary porphyry copper ore with low copper and gold content using the heap and in-situ leaching approaches has been proved.

Rasskazova A. V., Sekisov A. G., Rasskazov M. I. Nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxidation of porphyry copper ore with subsequent activated sulfuric acid-and chloride leaching of copper and noble metals. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2023;(9):130-140. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2023_9_0_130.

The studies used the equipment of the Scientific Evidence Storage and Processing Share Center supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation under Contract No. 075-15-2021-663. The chemical analysis and in-process tests were carried out at the Mineral Research Share Center of the Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

A.V. Rasskazova¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Leading Researcher, e-mail: annbot87@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6998-8120,
A.G. Sekisov¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Deputy Director, e-mail: sekisovag@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5780-6150,
M.I. Rasskazov¹, Senior Researcher, e-mail: rasm.max@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9130-8072,
¹ Mining Institute, Far Eastern branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Khabarovsk, 680000, Russia.

A.V. Rasskazova, e-mail: annbot87@mail.ru.

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