The alunite ore processing method consists of crushing, grinding and flotation of raw alunite ore. The enriched alunite ore is roasted at 520 to 620° C., the roasting time is 1 to 3 hours. The roasted alunite is leached with 5 to 20% sodium carbonate solution, which is in 100 to 110% of the stoichiometric amount required to bond the SO.sub.3 aluminum sulfate in the alunite with leaching conditions of 70-100° C. for 0.5-2.0 hours. The obtained slurry contains all of the potassium sulfate from the alunite and all of the sodium sulfate obtained from sodium carbonate. In the insoluble residue remains all aluminium oxide and residual rock. The sulfate solution is separated from the insoluble residue and is converted with potassium chloride to potassium sulphate (fertilizer) and kitchen salt. The insoluble residue is treated by the Bayer method without the use of an autoclave and results in aluminium oxide (alumina) and quartz sand.

The alunite ore processing method consists of crushing, grinding and flotation of raw alunite ore. The enriched alunite ore is roasted at 520 to 620 C., the roasting time is 1 to 3 hours. The roasted alunite is leached with 5 to 20% sodium carbonate solution, which is in 100 to 110% of the stoichiometric amount required to bond the SO.sub.3 aluminum sulfate in the alunite with leaching conditions of 70-100 C. for 0.5-2.0 hours. The obtained slurry contains all of the potassium sulfate from the alunite and all of the sodium sulfate obtained from sodium carbonate. In the insoluble residue remains all aluminium oxide and residual rock. The sulfate solution is separated from the insoluble residue and is converted with potassium chloride to potassium sulphate (fertilizer) and kitchen salt. The insoluble residue is treated by the Bayer method without the use of an autoclave and results in aluminium oxide (alumina) and quartz sand.

The present invention relates to a process for extracting aluminum, potassium and alunite sulfate from sulfide copper ore tailings with the aim of reducing the alunite content in the ore tailings, to the products obtained through this process and their uses. The process includes at least a step of heat treatment of the raw material and a leaching step. The process generates a first coproduct rich in quartz and a second coproduct rich in aluminum and/or potassium sulfates. The proposed process route has a high percentage of aluminum, potassium and alunite sulfate extraction, with effective reduction of the alunite content in the ore tailings, low cost and the obtaining of coproducts that can be subsequently marketed and/or disposed of in the environment in a safe manner and contributes to the practice of circular economy.