Institute of Metallurgy of Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russia:

E. N. Selivanov, Head of Laboratory of Non-ferrous Metals Pyrometallurgy, e-mail: pcmlab@mail.ru

R. I. Gulyaeva, Senior Researcher

A. M. Klyushnikov, Leading Engineer

Structure and phase composition of the samples of copper-cobalt sulfide ores (Dergamyshskoe deposit) were studied using optical spectrometry, X-ray, electron microprobe, chemical and thermal (20–1000 ^oС) analysis data. According to the mineralogical composition and textural-structural peculiarities, the ores are typical for massive sulfide formation of the Southern Urals, and have a complex microstructure and high content of cobalt. Main phase components of the ore are pyrite and its modification (marcasite), and siderite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, quartz, lizardite and talc. Copper is mainly revealed in the form of chalcopyrite, while zinc is revealed in the form of sphalerite. Cobalt is distributed evenly by pyrite and sphalerite, and its content in pyrite may reach 0.95%. This paper shows the validity of the equation expressing the dependence of the unit pyrite cell parameter (a) on composition and temperature. For the first time, argentopyrite (33.2% of iron, 38.8% of sulfur and 21.0% of silver) was found in ore. The particle size of mineral particles of non-ferrous metals in pyrite is 50–100 μm, suggesting the possibility of fine grinding with subsequent flotation beneficiation leading to the recovery of copper and zinc concentrate. At the same time, ore processing inevitably results in producing of pyrite concentrate, which, in its turn, cannot be processed cheaply and efficiently. There is a possibility of complex treatment of the ore by means of utilization as a sulfidizing reagent in blast smelting of oxidized nickel ores. The temperatures of initiation of sulfide thermal decomposition and oxidizing in the air were established, accompanied by release of SO₂ in gaseous phase. The ore solid state oxidizing products are iron oxides, quartz and magnesium silicates.

This work was carried out with the financial support of Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (project No. 15-11-3-31).

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