Next Article in Journal
The Influence of the Depth of Tubing in Downward-Inclined Horizontal Wells for Shale Gas on the Drainage and Production Effect
Previous Article in Journal
Research on the Optimization Decision Method for Hydrogen Load Aggregators to Participate in Peak Shaving Market
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Processes
Volume 13
Issue 10
10.3390/pr13103347
processes-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Selective Removal of Arsenic and Antimony by Alkaline Leaching with Sodium Sulfide: Remediation of Metalloids-Contaminated Concentrates from Zimapán, Hidalgo, Mexico

by
Gabriel Cisneros
1,
Julio C. Juárez
1,*,
Iván A. Reyes
2,
Martín Reyes
1,
Gustavo Urbano
1,
Jesús I. Martínez
1,
Aislinn M. Teja
3,* and
Mizraim U. Flores
4
1
Academic Area of Earth and Materials Sciences, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo (UAEH), Pachuca de Soto 42184, Mexico
2
Institute of Metallurgy, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
3
Directorate of Laboratories, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo (UAEH), Pachuca de Soto 42184, Mexico
4
Industrial Electromechanics Area, Technological University of Tulancingo, Hidalgo 43642, Mexico
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Processes 2025, 13(10), 3347; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103347 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 13 September 2025 / Revised: 10 October 2025 / Accepted: 15 October 2025 / Published: 19 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimizing Metal Extraction Processes: Recent Advances in Leaching Technology)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Selective alkaline leaching was evaluated to remove arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) from a polymetallic copper concentrate from Zimapán, Mexico, where these metalloids cause environmental risk and smelter penalties. Batch tests used sodium sulfide (Na2S) in alkaline media, varying reagent concentrations and temperature; kinetic modeling identified the rate-controlling step, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) plus scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) assessed phase changes. The kinetic analysis indicated chemical control with a higher reaction order for Na2S than for NaOH. A quadratic regression described the process and identified Na2S concentration and temperature as the dominant factors. Maximum extractions reached 91.9% for As and 72.1% for Sb while limiting dissolution of value-bearing sulfides, as supported by XRD and SEM–EDS. Environmental indices (Igeo, EF) classified As and Sb as highly contaminating and geochemically enriched in the feed, underscoring the need for selective removal. Overall, alkaline leaching with Na2S provides a technically feasible and environmentally favorable route to remediate metalloids and upgrade polymetallic concentrates.
Keywords: selective leaching; alkaline leaching; sodium sulfide; arsenic; antimony; copper concentrate; kinetics; Zimapán; chalcopyrite; environmental remediation selective leaching; alkaline leaching; sodium sulfide; arsenic; antimony; copper concentrate; kinetics; Zimapán; chalcopyrite; environmental remediation

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Cisneros, G.; Juárez, J.C.; Reyes, I.A.; Reyes, M.; Urbano, G.; Martínez, J.I.; Teja, A.M.; Flores, M.U. Selective Removal of Arsenic and Antimony by Alkaline Leaching with Sodium Sulfide: Remediation of Metalloids-Contaminated Concentrates from Zimapán, Hidalgo, Mexico. Processes 2025, 13, 3347. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103347

AMA Style

Cisneros G, Juárez JC, Reyes IA, Reyes M, Urbano G, Martínez JI, Teja AM, Flores MU. Selective Removal of Arsenic and Antimony by Alkaline Leaching with Sodium Sulfide: Remediation of Metalloids-Contaminated Concentrates from Zimapán, Hidalgo, Mexico. Processes. 2025; 13(10):3347. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103347

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cisneros, Gabriel, Julio C. Juárez, Iván A. Reyes, Martín Reyes, Gustavo Urbano, Jesús I. Martínez, Aislinn M. Teja, and Mizraim U. Flores. 2025. "Selective Removal of Arsenic and Antimony by Alkaline Leaching with Sodium Sulfide: Remediation of Metalloids-Contaminated Concentrates from Zimapán, Hidalgo, Mexico" Processes 13, no. 10: 3347. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103347

APA Style

Cisneros, G., Juárez, J. C., Reyes, I. A., Reyes, M., Urbano, G., Martínez, J. I., Teja, A. M., & Flores, M. U. (2025). Selective Removal of Arsenic and Antimony by Alkaline Leaching with Sodium Sulfide: Remediation of Metalloids-Contaminated Concentrates from Zimapán, Hidalgo, Mexico. Processes, 13(10), 3347. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13103347

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Article metric data becomes available approximately 24 hours after publication online.
Back to TopTop