The aqueous oxidation of complex sulfide concentrates in hydrochloric acid

Complex sulfides containing sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and small amounts of silver in a matrix of pyrite can be decomposed at 120°C and oxygen pressure of 1000 kPa in 1–2 N HCl for 90 min to yield > 97% of the zinc and > 95% of the copper in solution while about 83% of the lead remains in the residue as PbCl₂ and PbSO₄ and 85% of the silver, together with most of the pyrite. The recovery of elemental sulfur is nearly 100% with respect to ZnS, PbS, and CuFeS₂. Leaching in HCl is faster than in H₂SO₄ at the same acid normality, and the process is diffusion-controlled (strongly dependant on agitation speed and having an activation energy of 3.6 kcal/mole). Lead jarosite, Pb_0.5Fe₃ (SO₄)₂?(OH)₆, is mainly formed when H₂SO₄ is used as a leaching agent.