Determination of the optimum conditions for leaching of malachite ore in H2SO4 solutions

The Taguchi method has been used to determine the optimum conditions for th e dissolution of malachite ore in H2SO4 solutions. The chosen experimental parameters and their range were (i) reaction temperature: 15 to 45 degreesC , (ii) solid-to-liquid ratio: 1/10 to 1/3 g cm(-3) (iii) acid concentration (in weight): 2 % to 10 %, (iv) particle size: -40 to -3.5 mesh, (v) stirri ng speed: 240 to 720 rpm, and (vi) reaction lime: 5 to 45 minutes, The opti mum conditions were found to be reaction temperature: 40 degreesC, solid-to -liquid ratio: 1/3 g cm(-3) acid concentration (in weight): 10 %, particle size: -30 mesh, stirring speed: 480 rpm, and reaction time: 45 minutes. Und er these optimum working conditions, the dissolution of copper and iron in malachite ore was 100 % and 58 %, respectively. Besides, alternative workin g conditions reducing the total cost and dissolution of iron were found.