Investigation of the phase composition of the middlings with subsequent simulation of the compositions of potassium and sodium salts for the decomposition of arsenopyrite

Abstract

The results of the study of tin-bearing middlings are presented. The mineralogical composition obtained by micro-X-ray diffraction analysis was determined and thermodynamic modeling, using the software package Thermo-Calc, was carried out. The aim of this work was a comprehensive study of the interaction of arsenopyrite and cassiterite with salts of alkali earth metals and the search for the optimum composition and ratio of salts for the decomposition of arsenopyrite into separate easily removable components. With the help of these results further work on the development of a complex technique for the selective separation of arsenopyrite and cassiterite and the extraction of tin and associated metals from these middlings is relevant.