LLC Research Center Hydrometallurgy (Saint Petersburg, Russia)

N. D. Еfimov, Junior Researcher, Efimov-n@gidrometall.ru
Т. Yu. Kositskaya, Senior Researcher, Candidate of Chemical Sciences, kositskaya-t@gidrometall.ru

JSC Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant (Chelyabinsk, Russia)
М. S. Varganov, Head of Technical Department, mkv@zinc.ru
S. А. Zagrebin, Deputy Head of Technical Department, Candidate of Chemical Sciences, saz@zinc.ru

Currently, the production of lead from concentrates is almost entirely based on pyrometallurgical methods. The main disadvantage of both pyrometallurgical processes in general and technologies for processing lead-containing materials is the environmental hazard. In the context of global tightening of environmental regulations regarding gas emissions, the problem of finding alternative ways to recycle lead sulfide materials is becoming increasingly important. In this regard, there is a growing demand for research aimed at developing technological schemes in which autoclave processes are used as initial operations. Autoclave processing of lead concentrates obtained from polymetallic raw materials allows additional extraction of non-ferrous metals from the source material. Thus, the development of new hydrometallurgical technologies is necessary not only to solve environmental, but also economic problems. The results of laboratory studies on the leaching of real lead concentrates are presented. The resulting zinc solutions can be sent to the existing zinc production, and lead cakes are suitable for subsequent melting into rough lead. The phase composition of the initial materials is analyzed. The main patterns of the process of autoclave oxidative leaching of lead concentrates with different contents of the main component such as lead, are shown. Parameters have been established that make it possible to achieve high rates of sulfide oxidation: zinc extraction into solution >98%, the degree of lead sulfatization >93%. A commercial industrial product (carbonized cake) of high quality containing >70% Pb, <0.25% Zn, <2% S has been obtained. The indicators of pulps dehydration formed in autoclave conditions have been also determined.

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