Jarosite pseudomorph formation from arsenopyrite oxidation using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

In this work, the oxidizing action of a native strain type A. ferrooxidans on a sulphide containing a predominance of arsenopyrite and pyrite has been evaluated. Incubation of the A. ferrooxidans strain in flasks containing 200 mL of T&K medium with the ore (particle size of 106 mu m) at pulp density 8% (w/v) at 35 degrees C on a rotary shaker at 200 rpm resulted in preferential oxidation of the arsenopyrite and the mobilization of 88% of the arsenic in 25 days. Mineralogical characterization of the residue after biooxidation was carried out with FTIR. XRD and SEM/XEDS techniques. An in situ oxidation of the arsenopyrite is suggested on the basis of the frequent appearance of jarosite pseudomorph replacing arsenopyrite, in which the transformations Fe(2+) -> Fe(3+), S(-2) -> S(+6) and As(-1) -> As(+3) -> As(+5) occur for the most part without formation of soluble intermediates, resulting in a type of jarosite that typically contains high concentrations of arsenic (type A-jarosite). However, during pyrite oxidation, dissolution of the constituent Fe and S predominates, which is evidenced by corrosion of pyrite particles with formation of pits, generating a type of jarosite with high quantities of K (type B-jarosite). Lastly, a third type of jarosite (type C-jarosite) also precipitated forming a thin film that covered the grains of pyrite principally. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrochemical study of arsenopyrite weathering

Cyclic voltammograms and capacitance measurements are presented to characterize the mineral response at relatively moderate environmental conditions, pH 4.5 and T = 25degreesC. The experiments involve examining the rates of oxidation and the surface morphology of arsenopyrite, which is oxidized abiotically. The semiconducting properties of the mineral have been investigated in attempt to gain additional information of FeAsS dissolution behavior in acidic solutions at potentials close to the open circuit potential of the mineral. A mechanistic pathway for the anodic dissolution of arsenopyrite in open circuit conditions is also suggested. At high overpotentials, anodic reactions produce mainly sulfate and arsenate ions and may be described as hole limited. The reduction of orpiment-like compounds at potentials more negative than the open circuit potential is discussed.

Caracterização estrutural da mineralização da mina de Fazenda Nova - GO

The study area is includes in the geological context of Arenópolis Magmatic Arc, a region where there are neoproterozoic associations of granodioritic and tonalitic composiotion. (Ortogneisses of the western Goiás) and sequences metavolcanic-sedimentary (Jaupaci Metavolcanic-sedimentary Sequence ). In the mapped area, both units are covered by a cover-laterite. The Ortogneisses from Goiás West consist of a source granodioritic gneisses, corresponding to the Biotite granodiorite gneisse, and also by tonalitic gneiss composition corresponding to Metatonalit. The Jaupaci Metavolcanic-sedimentary Sequence is formed by Chlorite Schist (Metabasalt), Biotite Schist (Metadacite) and Sericite Schist (Metarhyolite), and even intrusions Sin/Tardi e Post Tectonic, granite to diorite composition (Diorites), and alson tonalitic (Bacilandia Tonalite). Post tectonic intrusions are observed, wich were Hornblend Diorite Porphyry and Lamprophyres, Structural analysis allowed the identification of three deformational events, Dn-1, Dn and Post-Dn. The first event is associated with a bygone foliation, lineation which generates an intersectional event, generating the foliation Sn, this being the most important structure in the study area, generating even the type mineral lineation and stretch. The last deformational event is characterized by folds on different scales, affecting the Sn foliation. The rocks of the region have features s active hydrothermal and regional metamorphism, and are composed os assembly indicative of mineralogical facies metamorphism Green Schist, in chlotite zone, with evidence of retro metamorphism. Locally there are sulfides as pyrite, arsenopyrit and pyrhotite, and te mineralization is associated with the arsenopyrite

Geologia do depósito de ouro de C1-Santaluz no greenstone belt do rio Itapicuru, Brasil

Pós-graduação em Geociências e Meio Ambiente - IGCE