Abstract: A process for the recovery of gold from carbon fines waste, which are produced, especially from carbon-in-leach (CIL) and carbon-in-pulp (CIP) processes. The gold may be eluted from carbon fines with alkaline eluent having a low oxidation reduction potential (ORP). Value added products may be obtained from the extracted carbon fines.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided to recover constituent components from single use batteries. In particular, the apparatus, method and system may be used to recover zinc and manganese in the form of sulfates from depleted commercial which in turn may be subsequently used for other applications, such as micronutrients and fertilizers.

Abstract: Processes for the removal of arsenic from aqueous solutions such as contaminated waters and process solutions are disclosed. Arsenic is removed from process solutions/effluents either by precipitation with a soluble iron compound, or solvent extraction and subsequent treatment with engineered materials, such as granular iron oxide. Arsenic may also be directly removed from arsenic contaminated ground and/or surface waters using engineered materials, especially by contacting ground and/or surface waters with silica, granular iron oxide and optionally natural zeolite in sequence. The treated solutions/effluents and waters may be released into the environment.

Abstract: A process for leaching a value metal from a titaniferous ore material comprising the step of leaching the ore material at atmospheric pressure with a lixiviant comprising magnesium chloride and hydrochloric acid is disclosed. Iron and titanium are leached into solution. Iron in the ferric state may be separated from titanium in solution using extraction with alkyl ketone. More effective separation of titanium with lower contamination with iron is obtained.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the leaching of a laterite ore or concentrate for the recovery of value metals, at least one value metal being nickel. The laterite ore or concentrate is subjected to a leaching step with a lixiviant comprising hydrochloric acid to leach nickel from the laterite ore. Nickel is extracted with an oxime at a lower pH than other processes for extraction of nickel from solution, especially after separation of iron and cobalt values.

Abstract: A process for leaching a value metal from a titaniferous ore material comprising the step of leaching the ore material at atmospheric pressure with a lixiviant comprising magnesium chloride and hydrochloric acid is disclosed. Iron and titanium are leached into solution. Iron in the ferric state may be separated from titanium in solution using extraction with alkyl ketone. More effective separation of titanium with lower contamination with iron is obtained.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of gold from a gold-bearing ore or concentrate, comprising the steps of leaching the gold-bearing ore or concentrate with a lixiviant of hydrochloric acid and magnesium chloride at atmospheric pressure at a temperature of at least 90° C. and an Eh of at least 900 mV. After a liquid/solids separation step, the solution obtained is subjected to an organic solvent extraction step using an oxime to obtain a solution of organic solvent containing gold, which is stripped with sodium thiosulphate to recover gold. The extraction may be operated to extract gold with or without iron. Materials used in the process may be recycled. The process avoids environmental and other hazards associated with the use of cyanide to extract gold.

Abstract: Processes for the removal of arsenic from aqueous solutions such as contaminated waters and process solutions are disclosed. Arsenic is removed from process solutions/effluents either by precipitation with a soluble iron compound, or solvent extraction and subsequent treatment with engineered materials, such as granular iron oxide. Arsenic may also be directly removed from arsenic contaminated ground and/or surface waters using engineered materials, especially by contacting ground and/or surface waters with silica, granular iron oxide and optionally natural zeolite in sequence. The treated solutions/effluents and waters may be released into the environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to storage batteries, also known as rechargeable batteries, using a chloride electrolyte, especially in which the electrolyte is a ternary chloroaluminate. In particular embodiments, the electrolyte is molten chloroaluminate and especially molten at a temperature of about 140° C. In another embodiment, the electrolyte is in a liquid state, especially at a temperature in the range of ?27° C. to 110° C. The preferred electrodes are aluminum and graphite. The batteries have a variety of uses, particularly including storage of electricity for future use.

Abstract: A process for leaching a value metal from a titaniferous ore material comprising the step of leaching the ore material at atmospheric pressure with a lixiviant comprising magnesium chloride and hydrochloric acid is disclosed. Iron and titanium are leached into solution. Iron in the ferric state may be separated from titanium in solution using extraction with alkyl ketone. More effective separation of titanium with lower contamination with iron is obtained.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of rare earth elements, including yttrium, from a rare earth element-bearing ore or concentrate, comprising the steps of leaching the rare earth element-bearing ore or concentrate with a lixiviant of hydrochloric acid and magnesium chloride at atmospheric pressure at a temperature of from 90° C. to the boiling point of the solution and at an Eh of at least 200 mV. After a liquid/solids separation step, the solution obtained is subjected to steps for removal of iron and for recovery of rare earth elements. Alternatively, rare earth element-bearing ore or concentrate may be leached with sulphuric acid and liquid obtained subjected to extraction of iron and other impurities. Raffinate obtained may be treated with oxalic acid, the precipitate dissolved in hydrochloric acid and subjected to solvent extraction for rare earth elements or the raffinate may be subjected to solvent extraction for removal of rare earth elements and then stripped with hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the leaching of a laterite ore, concentrate, tailings or waste rock for the recovery of value metals, at least one value metal being nickel. The laterite ore or concentrate is subjected to a leaching step with a lixiviant comprising hydrochloric acid to leach nickel from the laterite ore, followed by a liquid/solids separation step. The liquid obtained is subject to solvent extraction with a dialkyl ketone, to obtain a solution rich in iron and a raffinate. Separation of iron from cobalt and nickel is obtained.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of alumina from an aluminum-bearing ore or concentrate, comprising the steps of leaching the aluminum-bearing ore or concentrate with a lixiviant of hydrochloric acid and magnesium chloride at atmospheric pressure at a temperature of from 90° C. to the boiling point of the solution and at an Eh of at least 200 mV. After a liquid/solids separation step, the solution obtained is subjected to steps for removal of iron and for recovery of alumina.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the leaching of a laterite ore or concentrate for the recovery of value metals, at least one value metal being nickel. The laterite ore or concentrate is subjected to a leaching step with a lixiviant comprising hydrochloric acid to leach nickel from the laterite ore. Nickel is extracted with an oxime at a lower pH than other processes for extraction of nickel from solution, especially after separation of iron and cobalt values.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of gold from a gold-bearing ore or concentrate, comprising the steps of leaching the gold-bearing ore or concentrate with a lixiviant of hydrochloric acid and magnesium chloride at atmospheric pressure at a temperature of at least 90° C. and an Eh of at least 900 mV. After a liquid/solids separation step, the solution obtained is subjected to an organic solvent extraction step using an oxime to obtain a solution of organic solvent containing gold, which is stripped with sodium thiosulphate to recover gold. The extraction may be operated to extract gold with or without iron. Materials used in the process may be recycled. The process avoids environmental and other hazards associated with the use of cyanide to extract gold.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of rare earth elements, including yttrium, from a rare earth element-bearing ore or concentrate, comprising the steps of leaching the rare earth element-bearing ore or concentrate with a lixiviant of hydrochloric acid and magnesium chloride at atmospheric pressure at a temperature of from 90° C. to the boiling point of the solution and at an Eh of at least 200 mV. After a liquid/solids separation step, the solution obtained is subjected to steps for removal of iron and for recovery of rare earth elements. Alternatively, rare earth element-bearing ore or concentrate may be leached with sulphuric acid and liquid obtained subjected to extraction of iron and other impurities. Raffinate obtained may be treated with oxalic acid, the precipitate dissolved in hydrochloric acid and subjected to solvent extraction for rare earth elements or the raffinate may be subjected to solvent extraction for removal of rare earth elements and then stripped with hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the leaching of a laterite ore, concentrate, tailings or waste rock for the recovery of value metals, at least one value metal being nickel. The laterite ore or concentrate is subjected to a leaching step with a lixiviant comprising hydrochloric acid to leach nickel from the laterite ore, followed by a liquid/solids separation step. The liquid obtained is subject to solvent extraction with a dialkyl ketone, to obtain a solution rich in iron and a raffinate. Separation of iron from cobalt and nickel is obtained.

Abstract: A process to the production of silicon from amorphous silica is disclosed. The amorphous silica is formed from a material rich in silica, especially rice husk ash or silica fume. The process comprises subjecting the amorphous silica to leaching with a lixiviant of aqueous mineral acid, especially hydrochloric acid. Preferably, material rich in silica is roasted at a temperature of not more than 850° C., subjected to leaching and then subjected to a second roasting at a temperature of less than 750° C. The process provides for the production of high purity silicon, especially to the production of solar grade silicon (SoG-Si).

Abstract: A process to the production of silicon from amorphous silica is disclosed. The amorphous silica is formed from a material rich in silica, especially rice husk ash or silica fume. The process comprises subjecting the amorphous silica to leaching with a lixiviant of aqueous mineral acid, especially hydrochloric acid. Preferably, material rich in silica is roasted at a temperature of not more than 850° C., subjected to leaching and then subjected to a second roasting at a temperature of less than 750° C. The process provides for the production of high purity silicon, especially to the production of solar grade silicon (SoG-Si).

Abstract: A process for leaching a value metal from a base metal sulfide ore, comprising the step of leaching the ore with a lixiviant comprising a chloride, an oxidant and hydrochloric acid is disclosed. The leaching is controlled, by use of low concentrations of hydrochloric acid and a redox potential, to effect formation of hydrogen sulfide from the base metal sulfide ore. The hydrogen sulfide is stripped from the leach solution, thereby reducing the amount of sulfate generated in the leach to very low levels. The leaching may also be conducted to limit the co-dissolution of platinum group metals and gold with the base value metals. The leach forms a value metal-rich leachate and a solids residue. The solids residue may be subsequently leached to recover the platinum group metals and gold. The value metal-rich leachate can be oxidized and neutralized to recover the value base metals. In an embodiment, the chloride is magnesium chloride and lixiviant solution is regenerated.