Two acid imidazolium-based Ionic liquids (ILs) were evaluated for use in the leaching of a
real non-concentrated chalcopyrite ore in an aerated system at different temperatures,
monitoring copper recoveries in aqueous solution and in the presence of sulfuric acid. When
ILs were used contemporaneously with the acid, synergic effects were found; these effects
were mainly related to the IL action of decreasing the solid-solution hydrophobic resistance
to electron transfer, thus enabling continuous acid leaching of the solid surface …