Dissolution of chalcopyrite and manganese dioxide minerals in the presence
of each other in sulfuric acid medium was studied using compact disc electr
odes of the minerals under various H2SO4 concentrations (0.05 to 0.5 M). [H
+] had a positive effect on the reaction rate. Strong galvanic interaction
was observed to take place between chalcopyrite and manganese dioxide, the
galvanic interaction predominating over the individual dissolution (self-co
rrosion) rates. Evans diagrams constructed from polarization curves of the
two minerals were helpful in interpreting the leaching data. The electroche
mical nature of the dissolution reaction was analyzed through application o
f the Butler-Volmer equation and was confirmed from polarization measuremen
ts conducted with the respective mineral electrodes.