Experimental Simulation of Processes of Ore Leaching from Lyubov Deposit (Transbaikalian Region)

Abstract

To identify the mobile chemical elements in the processes of acidic weathering in the landscapes of Lyubov gold deposit (Transbaikalian Region), experiments on sulfuric acid leaching of gold–quartz ores (up to 2% of sulfides content) from the deposit are carried out. The chemical composition of ore samples is determined, and the major and minor minerals are described. The compositions of the ore and rock-forming minerals are studied by the methods of X-ray diffraction and chemical analyses and electron microscopy. According to the experimental results, a group of mobile chalcophile elements (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd), elements of V group (As, Sb, Bi) attributed to sulfides and sulfosalts, and a group of rare-earths and trace elements are revealed. Various dynamics of leaching these groups of chemical elements is recorded. It has been found that even if the contents are below bulk earth values, lanthanides, cesium, chromium, and germanium rapidly move to the acidic solution.