Abstract: A method for the heap leaching of manganese-containing ores, the method characterized by the steps of: (i) beneficiating the manganese-containing ore and separating into a coarse fraction and a fine ore fraction; (ii) combining the fine ore fraction with a sulfide ore material to produce a combined ore fraction; (iii) stacking the combined ore fraction to form at least one heap; and (iv) applying a lixiviant to the heap to produce a pregnant leach solution (PLS) containing dissolved manganese values, wherein the lixiviant is added to the or each heap in the presence of soluble iron.

Abstract: A method for the heap leaching of manganese-containing ores, the method characterised by the steps of: (i) beneficiating the manganese-containing ore and separating into a coarse fraction and a fine ore fraction; (ii) combining the fine ore fraction with a sulfide ore material to produce a combined ore fraction; (iii) stacking the combined ore fraction to form at least one heap; and (iv) applying a lixiviant to the heap to produce a pregnant leach solution (PLS) containing dissolved manganese values, wherein the lixiviant is added to the or each heap in the presence of soluble iron.

Abstract: A process for the hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials, the process characterized by the combination of a manganese dioxide containing feedstock and an acidic solution to form an acidic solution to be leached, and passing a volume of sulphur dioxide gas through that leach solution as the leaching agent, whereby no sintering or roasting pre-treatment step of the feedstock is undertaken and the levels of dithionate ion generated in the leach solution are less than about 5 g/l. Also described is a process for the production of electrolytic manganese dioxide.