Copper and elemental sulphur from chalcopyrite by pressure leaching

Processes employing direct oxidation under an over-pressure of air or oxygen in an aqueous sulphuric acid medium have been developed in the Sherritt Gordon Laboratories for iron, nickel, cobalt, zinc and lead sulphide concentrates. This study has recently also been extended to chalcocite, Cu2S, concentrates. The rising interest in processes employing direct aqueous oxidation is stimulated by the fact that elemental sulphur can be produced as a by-product rather than sulphur dioxide or sulphuric acid.