A process for producing a silver concentrate from metallurgical residues, in particular from residues containing
copper, iron, lead,
silicon, silver and
antimony and optionally containing elements such as
arsenic and
bismuth, comprising: (i)
copper leaching of the metallurgical residues with a first acid solution in order to obtain a first leach solution rich in
copper and iron and optionally in
arsenic and a first leached
sludge having a reduced copper and
iron content and optionally a reduced
arsenic content and being rich in lead,
germanium, silver and
silicon, (ii) leaching of the first leached
sludge, wherein the first leached
sludge is treated with a first solution of a
carboxylate in order to obtain a second leached sludge lacking lead and a second leach solution rich in lead, (iii) alkaline leaching of the second leached sludge, wherein a base is added in order to form an alkaline leach solution in order to obtain a third leached sludge having a reduced
silicon content and a third leach solution rich in silicon and optionally in arsenic, (iv)
hydrochloric acid leaching of the third leached sludge, wherein an acid solution is used in a
chloride environment in order to obtain a fourth leached sludge for final disposal and a fourth leach solution rich in silver, copper, lead and iron and optionally in arsenic, (v)
precipitation of silver from the fourth leach solution rich in silver, copper and iron and optionally in arsenic with a neutralizing
slurry in order to produce a fifth solution rich in chlorides and a first precipitated
solid rich in iron, copper, lead and silver and optionally in arsenic, (vi) leaching of the first precipitated
solid rich in iron, copper, lead and silver and optionally in arsenic with a
sulfuric acid solution in order to produce a sixth leach solution rich in copper, iron and optionally in arsenic and a first silver and lead concentrate, and (vii) leaching of the first silver concentrate with a second
carboxylate solution in order to produce a seventh leach solution and a second silver concentrate.