Method for processing elemental sulfur-bearing materials using high temperature pressure leaching

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a process for the production of sulfuric acid and liberation of precious metal values from materials containing sulfur through pressure leaching operations. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the sulfur-bearing materials may comprise residues from pressure leaching operations, such as those carried out at medium temperatures. The process of the present invention can be advantageously used to convert such sulfur-bearing materials to sulfuric acid by means of pressure leaching. The sulfuric acid so produced can be used beneficially in other mineral processing operations, for example those at the site where it is produced. Metals, such as precious metals, that are contained within the sulfur-bearing materials advantageously may be recovered from processing products by established precious metals recovery technology.

1 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A treatment process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a feed stream comprising an elemental sulfur-bearing material and a dispersant, wherein said dispersant comprises at least one of a surfactant, ground sand, mineral processing tailings, or combination thereof;    pressure leaching at least a portion of said feed stream at a temperature greater than about 220° C. in an oxygen-containing atmosphere in an agitated multiple-compartment pressure leaching vessel to form a product slurry comprising a sulfuric acid solution;    separating at least a portion of said sulfuric acid solution from said product slurry to yield a residue;    recovering at least one metal value from said residue.    
   
   
       15 . The process of  claim 14  wherein said step of recovering at least one metal value from said residue comprises recovering at least one precious metal from said residue.  
   
   
       16 . The process of  claim 14  wherein said step of pressure leaching at least a portion of said feed stream comprises pressure leaching at temperatures in the range of about 220° C. to about 275° C.  
   
   
       17 . A treatment process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a feed stream comprising an elemental sulfur-bearing material wherein said elemental sulfur-bearing material comprises an elemental sulfur-containing residue from a pressure leaching operation;    pressure leaching at least a portion of said feed stream in the presence of a dispersant wherein said dispersant comprises at least one of a surfactant, ground sand, mineral processing tailings, or combination thereof, at a temperature greater than about 220° C. in an oxygen-containing atmosphere to form a product slurry comprising a sulfuric acid solution;    separating at least a portion of said sulfuric acid solution from said product slurry to yield a residue;    recovering at least one metal value from said residue.    
   
   
       18 . The process of  claim 17  wherein said step of recovering at least one metal value from said residue comprises recovering at least one precious metal from said residue.  
   
   
       19 . A process for recovering metal values from an elemental sulfur-bearing solid residue of a pressure leaching process, comprising the steps of: 
 comminuting the elemental sulfur-bearing solid residue to produce a feed material;    forming a feed slurry by combining said feed material with a dispersant and a sufficient amount of fluid medium;    pressure leaching at least a portion of said feed slurry at a temperature greater than about 220° C. in an oxygen-containing atmosphere to yield a pressure leach product slurry comprising a sulfuric acid solution;    reducing the temperature and pressure of said product slurry;    separating at least a portion of said sulfuric acid solution from said product slurry to yield a solid residue;    recovering at least one metal value from said solid residue.    
   
   
       20 . The process of  claim 19  wherein said step of recovering at least one metal value from said solid residue comprises recovering one or more precious metals contained in said residue.  
   
   
       21 . The process of  claim 19  wherein said step of reducing the temperature and pressure of said product slurry comprises flashing said product slurry.  
   
   
       22 . The process of  claim 19 , said process further comprising the step of utilizing at least a portion of said sulfuric acid solution in connection with other processing operations.  
   
   
       23 . The process of  claim 19  wherein said step of pressure leaching at least a portion of said feed slurry is conducted at a temperature greater than about 250° C.  
   
   
       24 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein said step of combining said feed material with a dispersant comprises combining said feed material with a dispersant comprising at least one of a surfactant, ground sand, mineral processing tailings, or combination thereof.  
   
   
       25 . The process of  claim 19  wherein said step of comminuting the elemental sulfur-bearing solid residue comprises comminuting the elemental sulfur-bearing solid residue from a pressure leaching operation carried out at a temperature in the range of about 140° C. to about 180° C.