Investigation and modelling of the progression of zinc leaching from large sphalerite ore particles

X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) was used to follow the progression of Zn leaching in a number of individual sphalerite ore particles, which were subjected to a long-term simulated heap bioleaching environment. The ore was prepared by two different modes of comminution – HPGR at 90 bar and cone crusher – and individual particles were selected from three different size fractions. Investigation of the reacted fraction of Zn vs distance from the centre of each particle indicated that leaching from large particles leads to near complete conversion near the surface, but only partial conversion in the zones that are closer to the centre of particles. The cores of the cone-crushed particles show hardly any conversion at all, especially in the larger particle sizes.Mathematical analysis shows that leaching from the large particle does not follow the shrinking core model. It is shown that the progression can rather be described by a combined reaction–diffusion process progressing through the network of cracks and pores closer to the particle surface. Extent and depth of this network are a function of particle size and comminution method. A simplified rate model is proposed that describes the extent of leaching as a function of time in terms of a set of parameters that can all be related to just particle size and crushing mode.

► X-ray CT applied to measure the presence and disappearance of mineral grains within ore particles.
► Results showed that leaching from the large particle does not follow the shrinking core model.
► A combined reaction-diffusion process can rather describe the progression.
► Proposed model for the extent of leaching as a function of time, particle size and crushing mode.