GB190003668A - Improvements in Treating Complex Ores and Apparatus therefor. - Google Patents

Abstract

3668. Worsey, J. W., and Lancashire, J. H. Feb. 24. Drawings to Specification. Copper; gold; silver; lead; zinc.-Relates to a process and apparatus for treating complex sulphide ores containing lead, zinc, copper, manganese, silver, and gold. The zinc is finally obtained as zinc oxide or carbonate, and the manganese as sodium manganate ; the other metals are obtained in the usual way by smelting after the sulphur, zinc, and manganese have been removed. The ore is first roasted, the sulphur given off being converted, if desired, into sulphuric acid for subsequent use in the process. The calcined ore is then heated with nitrate of sodium and sulphuric acid and roasted. If iron in the ferrous state is present, it may be oxidized during the roasting by the addition of sodium nitrate and lime. The roasted ore is then heated by steam in a solution of sulphate of sodium. The steam pipe is fitted with a clack valve to prevent solid matter entering the pipe when the steam is shut off. The clear solution may be treated with bleaching-powder or other oxidizing-agent, the zinc is then precipitated with sodium carbonate and removed, and the manganese is crystallized out as sodium manganate, or the clear solution may be allowed to cool and the copper removed by means of zinc. The solution is then treated with lime to remove the zinc, iron, and other metals, which are collected and treated in a furnace for the recovery of the zinc as zinc oxide. The residues from the various steps of the process are then smelted in the usual way for lead, silver, &c. The Specification describes an arrangement of a pot and roaster furnace of ordinary construction for carrying out the process, which form no part of the invention.