Hydrometallurgical Decomposition of Zinc Sulfide Concentrate Supplied by JSC Svyatogor, Russia, via High-Temperature Sulfuric Acid Leaching with Hydrogen Sulfide Recovery
Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Technology, Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AMMC), 1 Amir Temur Street, Almalyk 110100, Tashkent Region, Uzbekistan
Abstract
This study investigates the hydrometallurgical decomposition of zinc sulfide concentrate supplied by JSC Svyatogor through high-temperature sulfuric acid leaching with simultaneous hydrogen sulfide recovery. The feed contained 45.9 wt.% Zn, and X-ray diffraction showed sphalerite and pyrite as the main minerals. Leaching tests were carried out in a closed reactor using 50 g of concentrate, sulfuric acid solutions of 30–75 wt.%, an L/S ratio of 15:1, and a total leaching time of 3 h. The evolved hydrogen sulfide was absorbed in an alkaline solution, while elemental sulfur in the leach residue was determined by extraction and gravimetry. Under the optimum conditions, zinc extraction into the sulfate solution reached 94.6%, whereas dissolution of copper-, arsenic-, and pyrite-bearing phases remained negligible. Based on the results, a flowsheet is proposed that includes sulfuric acid leaching, high-temperature crystallization of zinc sulfate hydrate in pulp, filtration, and redissolution of washed zinc sulfate monohydrate crystals. The process provides a potential route for producing commercial zinc sulfate and recovering hydrogen sulfide as a valuable byproduct.
Alimuhamedov, M. & Rasulova, B. (2026). Hydrometallurgical Decomposition of Zinc Sulfide Concentrate Supplied by JSC Svyatogor, Russia, via High-Temperature Sulfuric Acid Leaching with Hydrogen Sulfide Recovery. (e253915). Journal of Heavy Metal Research, (), e253915 https://doi.org/10.22034/jhmr.2026.593508.1021
MLA
Alimuhamedov, M., & Rasulova, B. "Hydrometallurgical Decomposition of Zinc Sulfide Concentrate Supplied by JSC Svyatogor, Russia, via High-Temperature Sulfuric Acid Leaching with Hydrogen Sulfide Recovery" .e253915 , Journal of Heavy Metal Research, , 2026, e253915. doi: 10.22034/jhmr.2026.593508.1021
HARVARD
Alimuhamedov M., Rasulova B. (2026). 'Hydrometallurgical Decomposition of Zinc Sulfide Concentrate Supplied by JSC Svyatogor, Russia, via High-Temperature Sulfuric Acid Leaching with Hydrogen Sulfide Recovery', Journal of Heavy Metal Research, (), e253915. doi: 10.22034/jhmr.2026.593508.1021
CHICAGO
M. Alimuhamedov & B. Rasulova, "Hydrometallurgical Decomposition of Zinc Sulfide Concentrate Supplied by JSC Svyatogor, Russia, via High-Temperature Sulfuric Acid Leaching with Hydrogen Sulfide Recovery," Journal of Heavy Metal Research, (2026): e253915, doi: 10.22034/jhmr.2026.593508.1021
VANCOUVER
Alimuhamedov M., Rasulova B. Hydrometallurgical Decomposition of Zinc Sulfide Concentrate Supplied by JSC Svyatogor, Russia, via High-Temperature Sulfuric Acid Leaching with Hydrogen Sulfide Recovery. Journal of Heavy Metal Research. 2026;():e253915. doi: 10.22034/jhmr.2026.593508.1021
