Abstract: A magnetic chemical absorbent according to the present invention is provided with a composite, which is constituted of a core substance comprising magnetite fine particles and schwertmannite being precipitated around the core substance to chemically bond therewith. This magnetic chemical absorbent can be produced in a hydrolysis reaction step, in which crystal of schwertmannite is precipitated by means of hydrolysis reaction by heating a solution of ferric salt and thereafter adding a reactive substance thereto, by means of adding magnetite fine particles into the solution after the solution is heated and before the precipitation of the crystal begins. This magnetic chemical absorbent is novel and good one whose absorption capability for harmful ion is upgraded more. In accordance with a waste-liquid treating method using this magnetic chemical substance, it is possible to intend the reduction of burdens in view of environmental and economic aspects. Moreover, this magnetic chemical absorbent is recyclable.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a process for enhanced recovery of one or more metal values from heap and/or dump leaching of ores containing the metal values, the process comprising: (a) providing a high grade leach solution obtained by heap or dump leaching of fresh high grade ore containing a first metal value; (b) subjecting the high grade leach solution to a first solvent extraction of the first metal value and applying the resulting first aqueous raffinate to leach fresh high grade ore; (c) providing a low grade leach solution obtained by heap or dump leaching of partially leached ore or fresh low grade ore of the first metal value; and (d) subjecting the low grade leach solution to a second solvent extraction of the first metal value, separate from the first solvent extraction of the first metal value, and applying the resulting separate, second aqueous to leach partially leached ore or fresh low grade ore, wherein the first and second aqueous raffinates are not intermixed prior to being applied t

Abstract: It is an object to provide a method for producing stable alkaline metal oxide sols having a uniform particle size distribution. The method comprises the steps of: heating a metal compound at a temperature of 60° C. to 110° C. in an aqueous medium that contains a carbonate of quaternary ammonium; and carrying out hydrothermal processing at a temperature of 110° C. to 250° C. The carbonate of quaternary ammonium is (NR4)2CO3 or NR4HCO3 in which R represents a hydrocarbon group, or a mixture thereof. The metal compound is one, or two or more metal compounds selected from a group of compounds based on a metal having a valence that is bivalent, trivalent, or tetravalent.

Abstract: A general, reproducible, and simple synthetic method that employs readily available chemicals permits control of the size, shape, and size distribution of metal oxide nanocrystals. The synthesis entails reacting a metal fatty acid salt, the corresponding fatty acid, and a hydrocarbon solvent, with the reaction product being pyrolyzed to the metal oxide. Nearly monodisperse oxide nanocrystals of Fe3O4, Cr2O3, MnO, Co3O4, NiO, ZnO, SnO2, and In2O3, in a large size range (3-50 nm), are described. Size and shape control of the nanocrystals is achieved by varying the reactivity and concentration of the precursors.

Abstract: A process for producing a purified nickel hydroxide precipitate from a nickel-containing leach solution with impurities including one or more of the following: manganese, copper, zinc, iron and/or cobalt, so that the purified nickel hydroxide is suitable for pelletization with iron-containing ores and/or stainless steel production, includes treating the leach solution with a base to form a slurry of mixed hydroxide precipitate and low-nickel barren solution, thickening the slurry to form filter cake, washing the filter cake and contacting it with acid to dissolve nickel and other metals to produce a concentrated nickel-containing solution, subjecting the concentrated nickel-containing solution to solvent extraction with an organic acid extractant to remove metals other than nickel from the nickel-containing solution and form a solvent extraction raffinate of purified nickel solution and treating the solvent extraction raffinate with a base to precipitate the purified nickel hydroxide precipitate.

Abstract: The invention provides hydrometallurgical processes by which dissolved nickel may be removed from water at ambient temperature and low system pressure.

Abstract: A new method to strip metals from organic solvents in a manner that allows for the recycle of the stripping agent. The method utilizes carbonate solutions of organic amines with complexants, in low concentrations, to strip metals from organic solvents. The method allows for the distillation and reuse of organic amines. The concentrated metal/complexant fraction from distillation is more amenable to immobilization than solutions resulting from current practice.

Abstract: The process of this invention is directed to the removal of metals from an unsupported spent catalyst. The catalyst is subjected to leaching reactions. Vanadium is removed as a precipitate, while a solution comprising molybdenum and nickel is subjected to further extraction steps for the removal of these metals. Molybdenum may alternately be removed through precipitation.

Abstract: Decomposition of methane to produce carbon monoxide-free hydrogen is accomplished using un-supported, nanometer sized, hydrogen reduced, nickel oxide particles made by a precipitation process. A nickel compound, such as NiCl2 or Ni(NO3) is dissolved in water and suitably precipitated as nickel hydroxide. The precipitate is separated, dried and calcined to form the NiO catalyst precursor particles.

Abstract: A process for efficient separation/recovery of copper involving selective extraction of the copper ion with the aid of an organic extractant from an aqueous chloride solution containing copper and one or more concomitant elements, discharged from an extractive metallurgy of non-ferrous metals or the like, and subsequent stripping. The process of solvent extraction of copper which treats an aqueous chloride solution containing copper and one or more concomitant elements to separate/recover copper, comprising the first step for selective extraction of copper from the aqueous chloride solution by mixing the solution with an extractant of organic solvent composed of tributyl phosphate as the major component after adjusting the solution at an oxidation-reduction potential of 0 to 350 mV (based on an Ag/AgCl electrode), and the second step for stripping of copper by mixing the extractant in which copper is stripped with an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A process for recovering nickel and cobalt values from nickel- and cobalt-containing laterite ores as an enriched mixed nickel and cobalt sulphide intermediate and for producing nickel and cobalt metal from the nickel and cobalt sulphide intermediate. The laterite ore is leached as a slurry in a pressure acid leach containing an excess of aqueous sulphuric acid at high pressure and temperature, excess free acid in the leach slurry is partially neutralized to a range of 5 to 10 g/L residual free H2SO4 and washed to yield a nickel- and cobalt-containing product liquor, the product liquor is subjected to a reductant to reduce any Cr(VI) in solution to Cr(III), the reduced product liquor is neutralized to precipitate ferric iron and silicon at a pH of about 3.5 to 4.0, and the neutralized and reduced product liquor is contacted with hydrogen sulphide gas to precipitate nickel and cobalt sulphides.

Abstract: A process is provided for the recovery of a metallic nickel product in a solvent extraction process which includes the steps of forming a nickel ammine complex by stripping nickel from a nickel loaded organic phase with a high strength ammonia solution and then reducing the nickel ammine complex with hydrogen from the high strength ammonia solution to produce a metallic nickel product. By virtue of the present process, a reductive precipitation of nickel by hydrogen is obtained so as to recover a metallic nickel product, and the process is advantageous in that it will allow for commercial processes wherein nickel may be recovered by hydrogen reduction based on high strength ammonia solutions.

Abstract: A process for the separation of cobalt and/or manganese from impurity elements selected from one or more of calcium and magnesium contained in a leach solution, the process comprising the step of subjecting the leach solution to solvent extraction using an organic solution of a carboxylic acid such as Versatic 10 and a hydroxyoxime such as LIX 63, optionally together with a stabilzer.

Abstract: A solvent extraction composition is comprised of one or more orthohydroxyarylaldoximes and one or more othohydroxyarylketoximes, and one or more equilibrium modifiers in an amount providing a degree of modification of the orthohydroxyarylaldoximes from about 0.2 to 0.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing one or more metals from liquids. Also provided is a process for the synthesis of aP2 inhibiting compounds having the formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, HET, and X-Z are as described herein, which process comprising the step of removing one or more metals from a solution of the compound of formula I or an intermediate or precursor thereof. The processes for removing metal comprise the step of contacting the liquid with a solid extractant comprising a metal-binding functionality.

Abstract: Nanoparticle compositions of noble metals, and methods of making them, are described. The nanoparticle compositions are made by reacting a salt or complex of a noble metal, such as Au, Ag, Cu or Pt, with a weak ligand, and a reducing agent, in a single liquid phase. The noble metal is typically provided as a halide or carboxylate. The ligand is preferably a fatty acid or aliphatic amine. The reducing agent is preferably a borohydride reagent, hydrazine, or a mixture thereof. Nanocrystals in the size range of 1 nm to 20 nm are produced, and can be made in substantially monodisperse form.

Abstract: Niobate-based octahedral molecular sieves having significant activity for multivalent cations and a method for synthesizing such sieves are disclosed. The sieves have a net negatively charged octahedral framework, comprising niobium, oxygen, and octahedrally coordinated lower valence transition metals. The framework can be charge balanced by the occluded alkali cation from the synthesis method. The alkali cation can be exchanged for other contaminant metal ions. The ion-exchanged niobate-based octahedral molecular sieve can be backexchanged in acidic solutions to yield a solution concentrated in the contaminant metal. Alternatively, the ion-exchanged niobate-based octahedral molecular sieve can be thermally converted to a durable perovskite phase waste form.

Abstract: A silica-polyamine based extraction material removes selected transition metal ions from solution in the presence of iron ions. The silica-polyamine base is a reaction product of a polyamine and a covalently anchored trifunctional hydrocarbylsilyl that yields non-crosslinked amino groups to which pyridine function group is attached. The extraction material is particularly useful in selectively removing copper from low concentration, low pH leach solutions separating copper from ferric iron or chloride ions. The product is a durable, high capacity extraction material that selectively captures copper at high flow rates and releases that copper into highly concentrated solutions.

Abstract: A zirconium phosphate compound having a Zr:P ratio of from about 1.80-2.0 to 1, which compound's H-form exhibits a single peak at ?13.7±0.5 ppm in the 31P NMR spectra. The compound is useful as a catalyst, catalyst support and ion exchange media having a high affinity for cobalt and nickel ions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for selectively separating iron from other metal ions, in particular ions present in certain oxidation catalysts. It also relates to a process for recycling catalysts in the reaction for the oxidation of alcohols and/or ketones to carboxylic acids and more particularly the oxidation of cyclic alcohols and/or cyclic ketones to dicarboxylic acids, such as the oxidation of cyclohexanol and/or cyclohexanone to adipic acid. This process consists in treating the solution comprising the oxidation catalyst, before it is recycled, with an ion-exchange resin which makes it possible to selectively separate the iron from the other metal elements, in particular from copper and from vanadium.

Abstract: A method for producing an indium-containing aqueous solution having a reduced amount of metal impurities is provided. A method for producing an indium-containing aqueous solution having a reduced amount of metal impurities which comprises bringing an aqueous solution containing indium and metal impurities whose hydrogen ion concentration is adjusted at 0.5 mol/L to 3 mol/L into contact with a non-chelate ion-exchange resin to remove the metal impurities, and a method for producing an indium-containing aqueous solution having a reduced amount of metal impurities which comprises bringing an aqueous solution containing indium and metal impurities into contact with a chelate ion-exchange resin to remove the metal impurities are provided.

Abstract: A nanoporous reactive adsorbent incorporates a relatively small number of relatively larger reactant, e.g., metal, enzyme, etc., particles (10) forming a discontinuous or continuous phase interspersed among and surrounded by a continuous phase of smaller adsorbent particles (12) and connected interstitial pores (14) therebetween. The reactive adsorbent can effectively remove inorganic or organic impurities in a liquid by causing the liquid to flow through the adsorbent. For example, silver ions may be adsorbed by the adsorbent particles (12) and reduced to metallic silver by reducing metal, such as ions, as the reactant particles (10). The column can be regenerated by backwashing with the liquid effluent containing, for example, acetic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for selectively separating iron from other metal ions, in particular ions present in certain oxidation catalysts.

Abstract: A solvent extraction composition is comprised of one or more orthohydroxyarylaldoximes and one or more othohydroxyarylketoximes, and one or more equilibrium modifiers in an amount providing a degree of modification of the orthohydroxyarylaldoximes from about 0.2 to 0.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing one or more metals from liquids.

Abstract: An industrially excellent process for producing a poly(meth)acrylate having a reduced metal content which comprises contacting a mixture of a poly(meth)acrylate and an organic solvent with an acidic aqueous solution, such as an aqueous solution obtained by dissolving a polyprotic carboxylic acid having about 2 to 12 carbon atoms in water, is provided, and, by this invention, contents of metals such as sodium, potassium, iron and the like can be remarkably reduced.

Abstract: Transition metals may be recovered from a salt-containing mixture containing at least one transition metal compound, salts, and organic compounds by separating from the salt-containing mixture a mixture of the transition metal compound and the salts. This mixture, together with any organic impurities, is introduced into a combustion zone, and the flue gas/salt mixture leaving the combustion zone is quenched with water. The combustion residue, containing the transition metal, is separated from the resulting quench solution, dried, and converted to fresh catalyst.

Abstract: A solvent extraction composition is provided which comprises one or more orthohydroxyarylaldoxime or orthohydroxyarylketoxime and at least one dialkyl ester of an optionally substituted ethylene or polyethylene glycol and preferably a water immiscible organic solvent. The orthohydroxyarylaldoximes, or orthohydroxyarylketoximes commonly are of Formula (1), wherein R1 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, and R2 is an ortho-hydroxyaryl group; and the dialkyl esters of an optionally substituted ethylene or polyethylene glycol commonly are of Formula (2), wherein R7 and R8 are each independently an optionally substituted alkyl group; R9 to R20 are each independently hydrogen or optionally substituted hydrocarbyl; m, n and p are each independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 provided that m+n+p is greater than or equal to 1; and q is 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: A solvent extraction composition is provided which comprises one or more orthohydroxyarylaldoximes or orthohydroxyarylketoximes and one or more esters substituted with a hydroxyl group, and preferably a water immiscible organic solvent. The orthohydroxyarylaldoximes, or orthohydroxyarylketoximes commonly have Formula (1), wherein R1 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group, and R2 is an ortho-hydroxyaryl group; and the esters substituted with a hydroxyl group are of Formula (2), wherein one of R7 or R8 is a substituted hydrocarbyl group with at least one hydroxyl group and the other is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group. Preferred orthohydroxyarylaldoximes are 5-(C9 to C14 alkyl)-2-hydroxybenzaldoximes and preferred orthohydroxyarylketoximes are 5-(C9 to C14 alkyl)-2-hydroxyacetophenone oximes. Preferred esters substituted with a hydroxy group are highly-branched alkyl esters comprising from 5 to 51 carbon atoms, wherein the hydroxy group resides on R8.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of extracting anions based on metals of groups IV B to VIII of the periodic table from aqueous solutions thereof, wherein compounds of general formula are used as extractants, in which a maximum of two of the R1, R2, R3 and R4 substituents represent hydrogen atoms and the remaining substituents represent identical or different alkyl or aminoakyl groups, which are optionally branched and which contain on average at least 5 C atoms.

Abstract: A method for the production of titanium metal from titanium-bearing ore. The method comprises leaching said ore or a concentrate thereof with an aqueous solution of a hydrogen halide; separating solids from the leach solution, to provide a leachate solution. The leachate solution may be subjected to extraction with an immiscible organic phase to selectively remove iron values to provide high purity iron products. Titanium may be separated from raffinate as TiO2 or solvent extract and thermal stripping. TiO2 may also be separated in the initial leach solution. Preferably, the titanium halide is titanium tetrachloride.

Abstract: A process for treating a nickel-bearing aqueous solution consisting of phosphating-bath overflow and/or of rinsing water after phosphating, phosphating being effected with an acidic aqueous phosphating solution that contains 3 to 50 g/l phosphate ions, reckoned as PO43−, 0.2 to 3 g/l zinc ions, 0.01 to 2.5 g/l nickel ions, optionally further metal ions as well as, optionally, accelerators, whereby the phosphating-bath overflow and/or the rinsing water after phosphating is conducted across a weakly acidic ion-exchanger, characterised in that the acid groups of the ion-exchanger are neutralised with alkali-metal ions to an extent amounting to no more than 15% and in that when it is fed to the ion-exchanger the nickel-bearing aqueous solution has a pH value within the range from 2.5 to 6.0.

Abstract: A silica-polyamine based extraction material removes selected transition metal ions from solution in the presence of iron ions. The silica-polyamine base is a reaction product of a polyamine and a covalently anchored trifunctional hydrocarbylsilyl that yields non-crosslinked amino groups to which pyridine function group is attached. The extraction material is particularly useful in selectively removing copper from low concentration, low pH leach solutions separating copper from ferric iron or chloride ions. The product is a durable, high capacity extraction material that selectively captures copper at high flow rates and releases that copper into highly concentrated solutions.

Abstract: A process for recovering components of a catalyst from a mother liquor of liquid phase oxidation in production of aromatic carboxylic acids by liquid phase oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons having substituents with a gas containing oxygen in a presence of a catalyst comprising cobalt, manganese and bromine in acetic acid or acetic acid containing water as a solvent, which process comprises adding a compound generating an ion of an alkali metal to the mother liquor of liquid phase oxidation obtained after separating crystals of the aromatic carboxylic acid from a reaction fluid of the liquid phase oxidation, bringing the mother liquor containing the compound into contact with an ion exchange resin so that the components of the catalyst are adsorbed to the ion exchange resin and recovering the components of the catalyst comprising cobalt, manganese and bromine ion by passing an elution liquid through the ion exchange resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of extracting cobalt and other impurity metals from a concentrated nickel sulphate solution by a solvent extraction process whereby a cationic solvent extractant is separately pre-equilibrated with a portion of a purified nickel sulphate solution in such a manner that it is loaded with nickel without precipitating insoluble nickel double salts. The nickel loaded extracted is then transferred to an impure cobalt nickel solution where the cobalt and certain other impurity metals exchange with nickel leaving a purified concentrated nickel sulphate solution suitable for hydrogen reduction or electrowinning. The cobalt loaded extractant is stripped with dilute sulphuric acid before being recycled whilst an aqueous cobalt stripped solution is further processed to recover cobalt.

Abstract: An Ni—Fe alloy material suitable for forming a ferromagnetic Ni—Fe alloy thin film is provided. The magnetic thin film produces a small number of particles during sputtering, and excels in corrosion resistance and magnetic properties. A method of manufacturing an Ni—Fe alloy sputtering target used to make the thin film is also provided. In addition, an Ni—Fe alloy sputtering target for forming magnetic thin films is provided. The sputtering target is characterized in that it has: an oxygen content of 50 ppm or less; an S content of 10 ppm or less; a carbon content of 50 ppm or less, and a total content of metal impurities other than the alloy components of 50 ppm or less. Such an Ni—Fe alloy target can be produced by melting and alloying high-purity materials obtained by dissolving the raw materials in hydrochloric acid, and performing ion exchange, activated-charcoal treatment, and electrolytic refining.

Abstract: A process is provided for the direct recovery of nickel and cobalt from a nickeliferous oxide ore leach slurry by ion exchange. A nickeliferous ore is leached with mineral acid to solubilize the metals. The resulting leach slurry is contacted with ion exchange resin, which selectively loads the nickel and cobalt from the pulp. The resin is separated from the leach slurry by screening and then stripped with an acidic solution. After stripping, the resin is returned to the loading cycle. Nickel and/or cobalt can be recovered in substantially pure form from the eluate by known processes. The metal-depleted slurry proceeds to waste treatment and disposal. This process eliminates the difficult solid/liquid separation, which would otherwise be required to recover metals values from the pregnant leach slurry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for the removal and recovery of metals from waste waters and process streams. The process of the present invention utilizes a combination of a supported liquid membrane (SLM) and a strip dispersion to improve extraction of the target species while increasing membrane stability and reducing processing costs. The process is illustrated with cobalt removal and recovery with unexpected results, such as unexpectedly high cobalt fluxes and a very high cobalt concentration in the strip solution recovered. This process can remove other metals, such as copper, zinc, nickel, mercury, lead, cadmium, silver, europium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, gadolinium, and selenium, from the feed stream to provide a concentrated strip solution of the target species.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of nickel and/or cobalt values from a concentrate containing nickel or cobalt hydroxide comprises the steps of subjecting the concentrate to a leaching stage with an ammonium solution to produce a leach solution containing nickel and/or cobalt values and a residue. The nickel concentration in the leach solution is controlled to a maximum value of about 3 to 25 g/l, preferably 8 to 15 g/l and more preferably 10 g/l.

Abstract: Urea is prepared by reacting ammonia and carbon dioxide in an apparatus comprising a vertical condensation and synthesis column and a stripper, to provide a urea synthesis solution comprising urea, unreacted ammonia, unreacted carbon dioxide and water. The urea synthesis solution is transferred from the top of the vertical condensation and synthesis column to the top of a stripper. Carbon dioxide is introduced into the bottom of the stripper and contacted with the urea synthesis solution, thereby separating the unreacted ammonia and the unreacted carbon dioxide from the urea, and providing a mixed gas comprising ammonia, carbon dioxide and water. The mixed gas is transferred into the bottom of the vertical condensation and synthesis column, where it is reacted with liquid ammonia injected into the bottom and a middle of the vertical condensation and synthesis column. The mixed gas and liquid ammonia are condensed and react to form urea.

Abstract: A method for disposing of metal cations includes binding them to a cation exchange resin. The valence of the metal which forms the metal cations is lowered to the lowest possible value. The metal cations, the metal of which has the lowest possible valence, are then bound to the cation exchange resin. The valence of the metal is lowered, for example, by reduction, for which purpose, by way of example, an organic compound together with UV irradiation is used.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for selectively binding metal ions from a source solution comprise using a polyhydroxypyridinone-containing ligand covalently bonded to a particulate solid support through a hydrophilic spacer of the formula SS-A-X-L (HOPO)n where SS is a particulate solid support such as silica or a polymeric bead, A is a covalent linkage mechanism, X is a hydrophilic spacer grouping, L is a ligand carrier, HOPO is a hydroxypyridinone appropriately spaced on the ligand carrier to provide a minimum of six functional coordination metal binding sites, and n is an integer of 3 to 6 with the proviso that when SS is a particulate organic polymer, A-X may be combined as a single covalent linkage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering non-ferrous metals, particularly nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, manganese and magnesium, from materials containing said metals by converting said non-ferrous metals into sulphates by means of melt and melt coating sulphation, i.e. by a thermal treatment under oxidizing conditions within a temperature range of 400 to 800° C., during which a reaction mixture is formed containing at least one said non-ferrous metal, iron(III)sulphate and alkali metal sulphate, and appropriate reaction conditions are selected to substantially prevent iron(III)sulphate from thermally decomposing to hematite, and finally, said non-ferrous metals are recovered as metallic compounds. In the method of the invention, a process is formed around the melt and melt coating sulphation, which comprises nine steps.

Abstract: Solvent extraction of one or more metal ions from an aqueous solution in the presence of hydrocarbon-soluble aminomethylenephosphonic acid derivatives.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of nickel from a nickel containing ore in which the ore, particularly a laterite ore, is initially leached with an aqueous acid solution, after which the nickel is precipitated as nickel hydroxide by adding a hydroxide to the aqueous acid leach solution containing the nickel, followed by a re-leaching of the nickel with an aqueous ammoniacal solution and recovery of the nickel by a solvent extraction of the nickel from the aqueous ammoniacal solution with an organic phase of a water insoluble oxime extractant comprising a ketoxime containing less than 10% phenols dissolved in a water-immiscible hydrocarbon solvent and the nickel recovered by electrowinning the nickel from the aqueous acid stripping solution employed to strip the nickel from the organic phase.

Abstract: A method for the production of titanium metal from titanium-bearing ore. The method comprises leaching said ore or a concentrate thereof with an aqueous solution of a hydrogen halide; separating solids from the leach solution, to provide a leachate solution. The leachate solution may be subjected to extraction with an immiscible organic phase to selectively remove iron values to provide high purity iron products. Titanium may be separated from raffinate as TiO2 or solvent extract and thermal stripping. TiO2 may also be separated in the initial leach solution. Preferably, the titanium halide is titanium tetrachloride.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of copper and nickel from a copper and nickel sulphide concentrate in slurry form. The slurry is subjected to a biological oxidation turning the copper sulphide to soluble copper sulphate and the nickel to nickel sulphate. The liquid containing the sulphates is separated from the slurry and treated with a solvent extraction reagent so that copper ions are exchanged by the reagent for hydrogen ions to produce a raffinate which is high in sulphuric acid and low in copper sulphate. The solvent extraction reagent is then stripped from the raffinate with a sulphuric acid solution. Copper is electrically harvested from the sulphuric acid solution and a portion of the copper depleted raffinate is returned to form a slurry with additional ore for subsequent biological oxidation. Nickel is recovered from the remaining portion of the raffinate.

Abstract: A process is provided for the selective recovery from an impure solution of pure nickel and cobalt solutions, suitable for electrolysis of the respective metals. The impure solution may be that obtained from acid leaching of nickel/cobalt bearing laterite or oxide ore. The impure solution is contacted with a solid ion exchange resin to selectively extract nickel and cobalt, while rejecting at least one element of the group manganese, magnesium, calcium, iron(II), and chromium(III). The ion exchange resin contains bis-picolyl amine as the primary chelating group. The impure solution has sufficiently low levels of chromium(VI) and copper to allow repeated use of the ion exchange resin. The metal-bearing resin is washed and then stripped with an acid solution. This solution is then contacted with a water-immiscible organic phase for the selective extraction of cobalt, leaving nickel in the raffinate as a substantially pure nickel solution.

Abstract: A cross-linked water-insoluble ion exchange resin comprised of polymerized monomers having a phenyl ring is disclosed. A contemplated resin contains (i) polymerized phenyl ring-containing monomers having a phosphonic acid ligand linked to the phenyl ring, (ii) about 2 to about 5 millimoles per gram (mmol/g) of phosphorus as phosphonic acid ligands, and (iii) a sufficient amount of a sulfonic acid ligand such that the ratio of mmol/g of phosphonic acid to mmol/g sulfonic acid is up to 3:1. A process for removing polyvalent metal cations from aqueous solution, and a process for removing iron(III) cations from acidic copper(II) cation-containing solutions that utilize the contemplated resin or other resins are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved process for separating cobalt values from nickel values in an aqueous nickel and cobalt sulphate-containing solution in which the solution is contacted with a water-immiscible organic solution containing an organophosphorous acid in a cobalt extraction circuit. The process is particularly useful for aqueous solutions containing high total metals content and elevated cobalt concentrations, while avoiding the formation and precipitation of ammonium sulphate containing double salts during the solvent extraction of the cobalt. The improvement includes contacting a portion or all of the water-immiscible organic solution required for cobalt extraction with a nickel-containing ammoniacal solution to produce a nickel-loaded organic phase and a partially nickel-depleted raffinate.