The oxidation of sulphide minerals

The literature associated with the thermal behaviour of mineral sulphides has been selectively and critically reviewed. Particular attention has been paid to:

• • the importance of characterising the starting material, as well as intermediate products

• • the effect of experimental variables on the thermal analysis results

The various reactions that sulphides can undergo in inert and oxidising atmospheres are presented. Under mild oxidising conditions, such as an air atmosphere and heating rates of 10–20°C min⁻¹, the oxidation occurs as a sequence of reactions usually controlled by oxygen diffusion, although in some situations decomposition of the sulphide with evolution of sulphur can occur. Besides the formation of oxides and sulphates, and the subsequent decomposition of the latter, solid-solid reactions can occur between sulphates and unreacted sulphides. In ternary systems, such as the iron-nickel sulphides, considerable ion diffusion can take place.

Under more vigorous oxidising conditions, such as an oxygen atmosphere with a heating rate in excess of 40°C min⁻¹, some sulphides can be ignited. Under these conditions the relative ignition temperatures of sulphides can be measured, and the effects of variables such as particle size and stoichiometry on the ignition temperature examined.

The oxidation of pyrite is presented as a case study of the effects of experimental variables on the results of thermal analysis. The application of the results of studies to the industrial processing of sulphides of economic importance has been discussed.