Dissolution Behaviors of Minerals in Tellurium–Bismuth Ore During Oxidic–Acidic Leaching

The dissolution behaviors of various minerals in the tellurium–bismuth ore during oxidic–acidic leaching were investigated systematically in this work. The Te–Bi phase in the ore distributes in network shape, triangular shape, tree shape, strip shape, bulk shape, sparse granule, flake shape, crescent, etc., which are closely intercalated with FeS, FeS 2 , and CaCO 3 ·(Mg,Fe,Mn)CO 3 . Under suitable conditions, 95.61% Te and 95.77% Bi can be recovered. Within 20 min of the initial leaching, most of dolomite and Te–Bi phase dissolve rapidly. With the extension of leaching time, a large amount of rod-shape CaSO 4 particles form, attach on the surface of the tellurium–bismuth ore particles, and then grow and coarsen. The (Mg,Fe,Al)(Si,Al)O x (OH) y phase dissolves mainly within 60 min. Fe–S phase can be corroded but cannot dissolve completely. SiO 2 cannot dissolve at all. Besides, H 2 SO 4 and Fe 3+ play a significant role on the dissolution of various minerals in the ore. Without Fe 3+ or H 2 SO 4 in immersion liquid, Te and Bi are difficult to be leached into the lixivium from the tellurium–bismuth ore. As H 2 SO 4 concentration and Fe 3+ concentration increase, Te–Bi phase and Fe–Mg–Al–Si–O phase gradually dissolve, the Fe–S phase can be corroded obviously but cannot dissolve, and the Si–O phase has no change. The dissolution of dolomite is mainly controlled by H 2 SO 4 . Graphical Abstract The dissolution behaviors of various minerals in the tellurium–bismuth ore during oxidic–acidic leaching were investigated systematically. Most of dolomite and Te–Bi phase dissolve rapidly. A large amount of rod-shape CaSO 4 particles form, attach on the surface of the tellurium–bismuth ore particles, and then grow and coarsen. H 2 SO 4 and Fe 3+ play a significant role on the dissolution of various minerals in the ore.