Alkaline Leaching and Concurrent Cementation of Dissolved Pb and Zn from Zinc Plant Leach Residues

The study addresses the significant environmental concerns associated with zinc plant leach residues containing dissolved lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). The objective of this research was to investigate the efficiency of alkaline leaching and concurrent cementation processes for recovering Pb and Zn from these residues. A rigorous experimentation was conducted involving multiple leaching tests with varying alkaline reagent concentrations and subsequent cementation trials to precipitate Pb and Zn. Results indicated that the optimized leaching parameters successfully dissolved Pb and Zn, achieving recoveries of up to 90%. Additionally, the concurrent cementation process demonstrated effective removal of dissolved metals, facilitating their solid-state transformation into stable mineral phases. This combined methodology not only enhances metal recovery rates but also contributes to minimizing environmental risks associated with waste residues through resource recovery. The findings suggest a potential sustainable solution for managing zinc plant leach residues, aligning with global efforts toward more responsible resource utilization and environmental stewardship.