Method for extracting base and precious metals by a pre-treatment that leads to solubilisation of the refractory matrices thereof

Abstract

A method for extracting base and precious metals, all contained in refractory minerals, using aqueous media. The method includes mixing the mineral (Cu2S, CuS, CuFeS2, Cu5FeS4, FeS2, FeAsS.NiS, (Ni,Fe)xSy), ground to an appropriate size (2.5 centimetres), with a specific dose of solid reagent in a rotary agglomeration drum and then adding slightly acidified water to obtain a defined water content (5-8%) depending on the type of gangue contained in the metal-containing solid, thereby forming an agglomerate that will form a heap, which is subsequently allowed to stand for a period of several days (20-60 days), during which the conditions required to transform the refractory matrix into a highly soluble solid will be generated. Finally, appropriately regulated irrigation is applied, thus resulting in extraction of the metal by simple aqueous washing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.