Abstract

PANTALEON TOLENTINO, David Moisés; CALLA CHOQUE, Dandy  and  SANTOS JALLATH, José Enrique. Lead Leaching with Citrate from a Galena Mineral, pH Effect. Epistemus (Sonora) [online]. 2023, vol.17, n.34, pp.107-114.  Epub Dec 08, 2023. ISSN 2007-8196.  https://doi.org/10.36790/epistemus.v17i34.273.

The recovery of metals from minerals through alternative processes is appropriate for the reduction of pollutants produced in foundries and traditional operations; the leaching of metals with the use of chemical reagents at low concentrations allows the reuse of the solutions, as well as the reduction of problems in the recycling of the solutions. Leaching with organic reagents at room temperature reduces the issues in the generation of gases and consumption of reagents, which is why it turns out to be an option for obtaining metals from minerals. This work shows an alternative for lead recovery by leaching a galena mineral using sodium citrate in a concentration of 0.2 M at room temperature. The effect of pH in acid, neutral, and alkaline mediums is evaluated, where recovery of 99.9% of lead in alkaline media is achieved.

Keywords : lead; leaching; citrate; alkaline.