Sorption of nickel and copper from leach pulps of low-grade sulfide ores using Purolite S930 chelating resin

• Purolite S930 resin is selective for the recovery of non-ferrous metals from pulps.
• At pH 2.7–3.0, Cu, Ni, and Co recovery, for a long resin contact times, exceeds 99%.
• The presence of silicic acid in the pulp decreases the rate of recovery of the metals.
• The sorption concentration constants for Cu, Ni, and HCl were estimated.

Investigations into an assessment of the efficiency of the sorption of copper and nickel, from the pulps deriving from the leaching of low-grade sulfide ores (Kingashsky deposit, Russia) by hydrochlorination, using the chelating resin Purolite S930, were carried out. The recovery characteristics obtained for the process solution were compared to that for synthetic solutions. At pH 2.7–3.0, copper, nickel, and cobalt recovery, for long resin contact times, exceeds 99%. For pulps, compared to that for the synthetic solution, a significant decrease in the rate of metal recovery was observed which is presumably related to the influence of silicic acid. The sorption concentration constants for copper, nickel, and hydrochloric acid and the resin loss due to attrition were estimated.