Abstract: An electrochemical cell and process for producing metal and a co-product from metal ore and an aqueous halide salt are described. The co-product may be a metal hydroxide, halogen, oxygen, and/or a hypohalite. The cell includes a cathode, an anode, and a separator. A catholyte includes (i) water, (ii) a metal hydroxide comprising Q, where Q is an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or a combination thereof, and (iii) suspended metal ore particles comprising MxOy where M is a metal and x and y are integers. An anolyte includes (i) water and (ii) a halide salt comprising Q and X where X is Cl or Br. A process for producing metal includes applying a voltage across the electrochemical cell to effect reduction of the MxOy in the cathode compartment to provide the metal M and a hydroxide comprising Q. X2, O2, and/or XO? is formed in the anode compartment.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell for producing metal and chlorine from metal ore and a metal chloride includes a cathode, an anode, and a separator. A catholyte includes (i) water, (ii) a metal hydroxide comprising Q, where Q is an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or a combination thereof, and (iii) suspended metal ore particles comprising MxOy where M is a metal and x and y are integers. An anolyte includes (i) water and (ii) a metal chloride comprising Q. An electrowinning process for producing metal and chlorine includes applying a voltage across the electrochemical cell to effect reduction of the MxOy in the cathode compartment to provide the metal M and oxidation of chloride ions in the anode compartment to form Cl2 gas.