JSC Uralintech (Yekaterinburg, Russia)

А. О. Chugunov, Laboratory Engineer
P. S. Potapov, Head of the Laboratory of Hydrometallurgical Processes, p.potapov@pm-ural.com
I. Е. Rudakov, Engineer of the Laboratory of Hydrometallurgical Processes
А. V. Еrmakov, General Director, aleksander.ermakov@pm-ural.com

Ural Federal University named after the First President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin (Yekaterinburg, Russia)

V. G. Lobanov, Associate Professor of the Department of Non-ferrous Metals Metallurgy, Candidate of Technical Sciences, v.g.lobanov@urfu.ru

When processing concentrates of the Oku and OKa grades (the Polar branch of Norilsk Nickel MMC) in JSC Uralintech, the high lead content in the feedstock leads to its accumulation in recycled refined products. Due to the proximity of certain chemical properties, lead is concentrated in the undissolved residues of acid treatment of raw materials with silver. The presence of lead in intermediate products significantly complicates the refining of silver, leading to additional operations to ensure that the product meets the requirements of All-Union State Standard. In addition to recycled products, the production receives sludge from the wet gas purification system, which concentrates lead and silver in its composition. That makes it difficult to process due to its high lead content. This paper demonstrates a critical analysis of the known methods of lead and silver separation. Taking into account the peculiarities of the phase composition of the intermediate product and, above all, the nature of lead and silver compounds in it, preference is given to leaching using industrial complexes, in particular with solutions of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The purpose of the research is to optimize the conditions for selective leaching of lead sulfate from undissolved residues enriched with silver. The most important condition in choosing the modes is the preservation of precious metals in the undissolved residue. The kinetic features of the process have been studied. Using the method of mathematical planning of a two-factor experiment, a regression equation has been obtained. The verification has confirmed the statistical significance of the obtained model. It has been found that the specified restrictions correspond to the neutral nature of the solution, the duration of lead leaching is no more than 20 minutes, and the preferred concentration of EDTA is 80–110 g/l.

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