Leaching of yahyali non-sulphide PB-ZN flotation tailing using organic acids

Abstract

The laboratory scale leaching of Kayseri-Yahyali non-sulphide lead (Pb)-zinc (Zn) flotation tailing using two organic acids was experimentally investigated. The effect of citric and oxalic acid on the dissolution of Zn, Pb, iron (Fe) and arsenic (As) was individually investigated under the following conditions: citric or oxalic acid concentration of 0.5-1.0M, temperature of 60-80°C and leaching time of 30-180 min. at 1/10 solid-to-liquid (S/L) ratio. 90.1% Zn dissolution was achieved using 0.5 M citric acid at 80°C leaching temperature for 180 min leaching time. The Fe, Pb and As dissolutions were determined as less than 20% under the conditions tested. 95.5% Fe and 68.8% As were removed from the flotation tailing along with less than 5% of Zn and Pb using 1.0 M oxalic acid for 180 min. leaching time at 60°C leaching temperature. It was found that citric acid is more prominent than oxalic acid for the selective leaching of zinc from the flotation tailing whereas a substantial amount of iron and arsenic removal can be achived by oxalic acid leaching. The use of NaCl along with citric acid was not useful for higher Zn dissolution. Based on the experimental results, an appropriate process will be improved for the selective leaching of valuable metals from the Pb-Zn non-sulphide flotation tailing in the near future. Copyright