METHOD OF OXIDIZING PRESSURE LEACHING OF POLYMETALLIC FERROSULFIDE MATERIALS CONTAINING PRECIOUS METALS Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: methods of hydrometallurgical processing of polymetallic ferrosulfide materials; may be used in processes of oxidizing hydrothermal leaching of ground materials containing pyrrhotine and other sulfides. SUBSTANCE: method includes treatment of ground material in water pulp with mechanical stirring, maintaining the temperature higher than sulfur melting point in the presence of surfactant, supply into pulp of oxidizing gaseous mixture and abstraction of excessive heat from pulp. Oxidizing gaseous mixture is supplied in varying conditions between points of its supply with amplitude of flow rate variation within 10-100 cu.m/h for cubic meter of pulp and period of 6-60 min. Varying conditions of oxidizing gaseous mixture supply to pulp is maintained with the help of alternating in autoclaves self-suction stirring devices with variation of mixture flow rate between them, or by forced distribution of mixture introduction to under pulp level with varied its flow rate between points of its supply. The most efficient method of pulp aeration in varying conditions of supply of oxidizing mixture is combination of its forced supply to under pulp level through perforated pipes with use of intensified self-suction devices equipped with simplified aerators. EFFECT: increased efficiency and recovery of precious metals. 3 cl, 3 tbl