The mechanism of the electro-oxidation of pyrite in NaCl solutions was
investigated. Laboratory work was carried out on the production of hy
pochlorite and the oxidation of pyrite in an electrochemical cell with
a 10% sodium chloride electrolyte at 35-40 degrees C. The production
rate of hypochlorite was higher when the pH was not controlled than wh
en it was maintained at the initial value of about 6.5. Pyrite was oxi
dized by the electrochemically generated hypochlorite, with an overall
current efficiency of about 97%. The oxidation rate was directly rela
ted to the current and it was not affected by the pulp density.