Simultaneous dissolution of sphalerite and pyrolusite under the cyclic action of a redox system in acidic media

Abstract

The paper presents studies on dissolution of both sphalerite and pyrolusite under the cyclic action of ferrous-ferric redox couple in acidic medium. Sphalerite is oxidised by ferric ion, whereas pyrolusite is reduced by ferrous. Each of these two dissolution processes is similar to that of a corrosion couple and has been investigated through plotting of individual anodic and cathodic polarization curves. Studies have also been conducted to compare the leaching behaviour.