Simulated small-scale pilot plant heap leaching of low-grade oxide zinc ore with integrated selective extraction of zinc

The leaching of low-grade oxide zinc ore and simultaneous integrated selective extraction of zinc were investigated using a small-scale leaching column and laboratory scale box mixer-settlers. Di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) dissolved in kerosene was used as an extractant. The results showed that it was possible to selectively leach zinc from the ores by heap leaching. The zinc concentration of the leach liquor in the first leaching–extraction circuit was 32.57 g/L, and in the 16th cycle the zinc concentration was 8.27 g/L after the solvent extraction. The leach liquor was subjected to solvent extraction, scrubbing and selective stripping for the enrichment of zinc and the removal of impurities. The pregnant zinc sulfate solution produced from the stripping cycle was suitable for zinc electrowinning.