SOLID STATE PROPERTIES AND LEACHING OF MECHANICALLY ACTIVATED TETRAHEDRITE

The mechanical activation of tetrahedrite Cu_(12)Sb_(4)S_(13) was carried out in a planetary mill. The changes in the surface and bulk properties produced in mineral by mechanical activation were detected by infrared, photoelectron and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The rate and selectivity of tetrahedrite acid leaching depends on conditions of mechanical activation.