Leaching Cobalt from a Nickel-Containing Copper-Cobalt Zebesha Ore

Two copper-cobalt ore samples with varying amounts of nickel, manganese, and iron from Zebesha Mine in Zambia were leached under different conditions with the purpose of understanding leaching characteristics. Leach tests were conducted at different conditions such as pH, temperature, and varying amount of reductant (sodium metabisulphite). The as-received materials and leach residues were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic absorption techniques. Copper and manganese selectively leached from the material in the absence of SMBS thereby leaving out cobalt, nickel, and iron. However, all elements, (Cu, Co, Ni, Mn, and Fe) leached out in the presence of SMBS. The overall recoveries of copper, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and iron were dependent on pH and amount of sodium metabisulphite.