Mutooroo Cobalt District, page-5

SUPERGENE SULPHIDE ORE FROM THE MUTOOROO MINE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA: CHARACTERISATION

I was interested in the following leaching tests re: Mutooroo abstract from 1986.

Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to get the complete publication. If anyone has a copy, please post the link:

https://www.researchgate.net/public...IA_CHARACTERIZATION_AND_DISSOLUTION_OF_COPPER

Abstract
The results are in terms of the experimental in-situ leaching operation at Mutooroo, South Australia.

Mineralogical analysis of supergene sulphide ore recovered from areas close to the underground workings at the abandoned Mutooroo (South Australia) mine shows that the original sulphide minerals have undergone substantial alteration. The cause of this alteration is believed to be contact with the highly saline, acidic mine water.

The copper is now present as a sulphide that can best be described as a copper- and iron-deficient chalcopyrite, Cu//xFe//yS//2, where in most cases x less than y. The values of x and y vary from point to point within each grain.

Leach tests under a variety of conditions show that dissolution of the copper from the supergene sulphide ore can be readily achieved, particularly when compared with the behavior of Mt Isa chalcopyrite concentrate. For the supergene sulphide ore, an increase in the acidity and the iron(III) concentration of the leachant results in an increase in the rate of copper dissolution.

Cheers

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