Abstract: In a method of preparing high-purity manganese compounds, wherein the method comprises adding a member selected from ferromanganese and metallic manganeses to an aqueous electrolyte-containing solution, dissolving said member while stirring and maintaining a pH of 2 to 9, and then removing insolubles by filtration and recovering solubles by precipitation, heavy metal elements as well as non-metllic elements, such as P, Si, etc. can be removed efficiently, and high-purity manganese compounds of stable quality can be prepared.

Abstract: A process for the extensive removal of undesirable metal ions, particularly vanadium ions, in the course of the concentration of dilute iron(II) sulfate-containing sulfuric acid solutions. The sulfuric acid solutions are concentrated by the evaporation of water and the separation of iron(II) sulfate to a content of 60 to 70% by weight H.sub.2 SO.sub.4. According to the invention, the content of trivalent titanium in the solution is adjusted such that the content of trivalent iron does not exceed 0.1 g/l. The trivalent titanium may be added from the outside, if not already present in an adequate amount in the solution, or may be formed in situ from the tetravalent titanium present in the solution by the addition of a reducing agent. Prior to the final concentration, part of the iron may be precipitated and separated as iron(II) sulfate heptahydrate by means of preconcentration and cooling of the preconcentrated sulfuric acid solution.

Abstract: A method of processing manganese ore by adding the ore to an aqueous solution of acid and H.sub.2 O.sub.2 to form a leach pulp. The leach pulp is agitated for a predetermined time period at predetermined temperatures. The leach pulp is then separated into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction containing solubilized metals. The solubilized metals are then recovered from the liquid fraction.

Abstract: A nickel-containing ore is leached with sulfuric acid to dissolve nickel and associated metallic values into the sulfuric acid to form a leachate, the sulfuric acid further containing a source of the monovalent cations sodium, potassium or ammonium to suppress solubilization of aluminum ions in the ore. The leaching process is conducted at elevated temperatures of from about 200.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C., and at elevated pressures. In such leaching process, the monovalent cations are present in the leaching liquid prior to the initiation of leaching, to achieve an aluminum content of the leachate of less than about 0.5 grams per liter.

Abstract: A process is provided for the recovery of vanadium and nickel values from petroleum residues and, in particular, from Flexicoke. In the process, Flexicoke is blended with an alkali metal source, such as sodium sulfate or sodium carbonate, and then roasted in an oxygen-containing gas until carbon is removed and a fused mixture is obtained. Thereafter, the vanadium is leached from the mixture with an aqueous solution, and nickel is contained in solids remaining from the leaching.

Abstract: A process for the production of liquid ferric sulfate from finely-divided ferric oxide, sulfuric acid and water in a closed reaction vessel at temperatures ranging from about 130.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. and pressures from about 30 psi to about 40 psi. The reaction time ranges from four to eight hours and produces liquid ferric sulfate having at least 10% trivalent iron.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a preferred ferric sulfate solution. The product of the process is particularly suited for use in water treatment and purification. According to the process, iron oxides or iron, are dissolved in sulfuric acid to form ferrous sulfate. In a first step of oxidation, the ferrous sulfate is partially oxidized to ferric sulfate in the presence of dissolved oxygen. In a second stage of oxidation, remaining ferrous sulfate is oxidized to ferric sulfate by the action of a non-molecular oxygen oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide. During both stages of oxidation, a catalyst such as copper sulfate or copper ammonium sulfate may be used. Careful control of added sulfuric acid is maintained, to avoid excess or free sulfuric acid in the reaction product. The final reaction product is generally characterized by having: between about 10% and 12% iron by weight; substantially all iron present in the ferric form; and, by having less than 0.5% free or excess acid, by weight.

Abstract: It has been shown that magnesiumsilicates, particularly Mg-rich olivine, is very advantageous for neutralizing waste sulfuric acid. A silicagel and a Fe/Mg-containing liquid are formed. The experiments show that a distinct separation of the silicagel from the Fe-containing liquid is possible in case the neutralization process is performed in an inert atmosphere. After separation of the SiO.sub.2 -rich gel a Fe-V precipitate may be formed by means of aeration. The SiO.sub.2 gel may be rinsed well, so that an acceptable product is formed that e.g. is useful in the concrete industry. The liquids formed are MgSO.sub.4 rich. They may simply be drained into sea-water.

Abstract: The purpose of the method is to remove chlorides and fluorides from a valuable metal raw material by leaching the raw material into sulphuric acid solution and by crystallizing the valuable metal sulphate selectively out of the solution. The valuable metal sulphate crystals are washed in sulphuric acid solution, and the recovered dechlorinated and defluorinated crystals are leached into water and conducted into electrolysis. The sulphuric acid solution employed in the raw material leaching and in the crystal washing is preferably the same as the return acid of the electrolysis. Chlorides and fluorides are removed from the mother liquor of crystallization in the bleed.

Abstract: This is a method for the complete leaching of the valuable metals in a metal sulphide material which contains copper, zinc, lead, silver and iron by the use of a solution which essentially contains cupric chloride/sulphates. After the valuable metals have been recovered, the solution is regenerated whereby ferrous chloride and cuprous chloride/sulphate is oxidized to a ferric hydroxide solid and a cupric chloride solution respectively. The regenerated solution is split into two part-solutions and returned to the process.One part-solution goes to a metathesis stage where the fresh metal sulphide material is added in large excess with respect to the part-solutions's content of copper. The result is that only the valuable metals like zinc, lead and silver are leached while copper and iron remain in the residue.The other part-solution goes to a leach stage where the residue from the metathesis stage is added.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of aluminum and at least one other metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, nickel and cobalt from a spent hydrogenation catalyst comprising (1) adding about 1 to 3 parts H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 to each part of spent catalyst in a reaction zone of about 20.degree. to 200.degree. C. under sulfide gas pressure between about 1 and about 35 atmospheres, (2) separating the resultant Al.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3 solution from the sulfide precipitate in the mixture, (3) oxidizing the remaining sulfide precipitate as an aqueous slurry at about 20.degree. to 200.degree. C. in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a pressure between about 1 and about 35 atmospheres, (4) separating the slurry to obtain solid molybdic acid and a sulfate liquor containing said at least one metal, and (5) recovering said at least one metal from the sulfate liquor in marketable form.

Abstract: A method for electrochemically minimizing sulfide scale buildup on a metal surface by connecting the surface as an anode and periodically reversing the current flow at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering tungsten, scandium, iron, and manganese from tungsten bearing material. The process involves digesting the material in sufficient sulfuric acid at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time in the presence of a reducing agent to form a digestion solution containing the major portion of the scandium, iron, and manganese, and a digestion residue containing the major portion of the tungsten, separating the digestion solution from the digestion residue and extracting essentially all of the scandium from the solution with an organic consisting essentially of an extracting agent which is a dialkyl phosphoric acid which is present in an amount sufficient to extract essentially all of the scandium without extracting appreciable amounts of iron and manganese, and the balance an essentially aromatic solvent.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of a complex manganese ore, wherein it comprises the following stages:(a) crushing the ore,(b) subdividing the crushed ore into a first part and a second part,(c) preparing the first pulp from the first part of the crushed ore,(d) reacting the first pulp with a reducing agent to obtain a manganous sulphate solution,(e) separating the liquid phase constituted by the thus obtained manganous sulphate solution from the solid phase of the thus treated first pulp,(f) preparing a second pulp from the second part of the crushed ore,(g) subjecting the second pulp to a solubilization treatment of the nickel, copper and cobalt by reacting it hot with sulphuric acid and the manganous sulphate solution obtained in stage (e),(h) separating the liquid phase and the solid phase of the thus treated second pulp, and(i) recovering the nickel, copper and cobalt from the liquid phase separated in stage (h).

Abstract: A process is provided for hydrometallurgical processing of steel plant dusts containing cadmium, lead, zinc, and iron values, along with impurities such as chloride and fluoride salts of sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc. The first step in the process involves leaching the dust in a mixed sulfate-chloride medium that dissolves most of the zinc and cadmium. Any iron and aluminum dissolved in this step is precipitated by oxidation and neutralization. Zinc is recovered from the resulting solution by solvent extraction which provides a raffinate which is recycled to the leaching step with a bleed stream also provided for recovery of cadmium and removal of other impurities from the circuit. The lead sulfate residue from the leaching step is leached with caustic soda, and zinc dust is used to cement the lead out from the caustic solution, which then joins the main solution for zinc recovery.

Abstract: A process is provided for selectively recovering zinc from steel plant dust containing substantial amounts of iron. The process comprises atmospherically leaching the steel plant dust in a first stage wherein an amount of steel plant dust is mixed with an amount of acidic zinc sulfate solution to leach zinc therefrom, the leaching of the dust being such that the solution is controlled to a terminal pH ranging from about 2 to 3.5 and preferably from about 2.5 to 3.5, thereby limiting iron dissolution. The mixture is then subjected to a crude liquid/solid separation step whereby a thickened pulp is produced containing zinc and iron values and a separated liquid containing low iron and substantial amounts of zinc, the solution being sent to zinc recovery.

Abstract: The invention comprises the treatment of metal oxides and mixed metal oxides and metal sulfides in a vertical tube reactor system having a downcomer section and a riser section in order to oxidize and dissolve the metal values in aqueous slurry primarily in the downcomer section and introducing a reducing agent comprising a formate species and reducing the dissolved metal values in the riser section. The reduced metal values are then separated with the gangue values from the product solution downstream from the vertical tube reactor system. The reduced metal values may then be separated from the gangue material by conventional solid separation techniques, such as flotation.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of gold from refractory auriferous iron-containing sulphidic material which comprises providing an aqueous feed slurry of fresh feed material and oxidized solids from a subsequent pressure oxidation step. The feed slurry has a pulp density in the range of from about 30 to about 60% by weight. The slurry is subjected to pressure oxidation at a temperature of from about 120.degree. to about 250.degree. C. under a total pressure of from about 360 to about 6000 kPa to produce a slurry of oxidized solids. A portion of the oxidized solids is recycled to the feed slurry, and gold is recovered from the remaining oxidized solids.

Abstract: A process for recovering cobalt and nickel values from cobalt and nickel containing sulphidic material also containing iron includes roasting the sulphidic material to produce a calcine containing water soluble cobalt and nickel sulphate, and leaching the calcine in aqueous sulphate solution under oxidizing conditions at an oxygen overpressure in the range of from about 50 kPa to about 1500 kPa and at a temperature in the range of from about 100.degree. to about 180.degree. C. to produce an iron-containing residue and a cobalt and nickel containing solution. The residue is separated from the solution, and cobalt and nickel values are recovered from the solution.

Abstract: A method of recovering copper and nickel from sulphidic minerals containing copper, nickel and iron comprises the steps of roasting the mineral, preferably to provide magnetite; sulphating, for example with sulphuric acid, sulphur trioxide, metal sulphate and/or sulphur dioxide together with oxygen; and a subsequent leaching of the sulphated material and recovery of copper from the leaching solution, for example by electrolysis. All or part of the leaching solution with its nickel content is recycled to the roasting stage, and the nickel content is removed in the form of nickel oxide together with the leaching residue, from which nickel can be recovered.

Abstract: A process for recovering gold from refractory auriferous iron-containing sulphidic ore which comprises feeding ground ore as an aqueous slurry to an acidic pretreatment step. The ground ore in the acidic pretreatment step is treated with aqueous sulphuric acid solution to decompose carbonate and acid consuming gangue compounds, and subjecting the treated slurry to a first liquid-solids separation step to produce a sulphate solution and separated solids. Water is added to the separated solids in a first repulping step to form a slurry having a pulp density in the range of from about 25 to about 60% by weight solids. The first repulped slurry is oxidized in a pressure oxidation step at a temperature in the range of from about 135.degree. to about 250.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for separately recovering platinum group metal values, nickel values and copper from nickel-copper-iron sulphidic matte containing platinum group metals includes leaching ground matte at atmospheric pressure in acidic nickel-copper sulphate solution at a temperature in the range of from about 75.degree. to about 105.degree. C. and at a pH below about 4 initially under oxidizing conditions and subsequently under neutral or non-oxidizing conditions to cause dissolution of nickel and iron, precipitation of copper as a copper sulphide and precipitation of dissolved platinum group metals. The copper, nickel and platinum group metal containing solids are separated from the nickel and iron containing sulphate solution and are leached in acidic nickel-copper sulphate solution under pressurized oxidizing conditions at a temperature of from about 120.degree. to about 180.degree. C. to cause dissolution of nickel and copper with minor dissolution of platinum group metals.

Abstract: A process for recovering gold from refractory auriferous iron-containing concentrate includes feeding the concentrate as an aqueous slurry to an acidic pretreatment step and treating the concentrate in the acidic pretreatment step with aqueous sulphuric acid solution to decompose carbonate and other acid consuming gangue compounds. The treated slurry is oxidized in a pressure oxidation step at a temperature in the range of from about 135.degree. to about 250.degree. C. under a pressurized oxidizing atmosphere while maintaining a free acid concentration of from about 5 to about 40 g/L sulphuric acid to cause dissolution of iron, formation of sulphuric acid and oxidation of substantially all oxidizable sulphide compounds to sulphate form with less than about 20% of oxidized sulphur being present as elemental sulphur during the oxidation step.

Abstract: A process for enhancing recovery of metals, especially cobalt, from spent hydroprocessing catalysts when the spent catalyst particles are first roasted at between 400.degree. C. and 600.degree. C. and then contacted with a first aqueous solution of ammonia and an ammonium salt to recover nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, and vanadium. The once-leached spent hydroprocessing catalysts are again leached by contacting them with a second aqueous solution of ammonium sulfate at a pH of 1 to 4.

Abstract: According to the present invention, processes are provided for recovery of nickel, cobalt and like metal values from laterite ores wherein the ores are separated into high and low magnesium containing fractions, the low magnesium fraction is leached with sulfuric acid at elevated temperatures and pressure to solubilize the metal values. The pregnant liquor resulting from the high pressure which also contains solubilized Fe, Al and acid is then contacted with a low magnesium fraction of the ore in a low pressure leach under conditions such that at least some of the acid is neutralized and substantially all of the solubilized Fe and Al is removed as hematite and alunite precipitate.In one embodiment, the pregnant liquor from the high pressure leach and the high magnesium fraction are contacted at atmospheric pressure and a temperature of about 80.degree. C. prior to low pressure leaching. In other embodiments, various process streams are separated by size and otherwise, and recycled to within the processes.

Abstract: A method is provided for conditioning nickel laterite pregnant leach liquor in preparation for the recovery of nickel therefrom in which pregnant leach liquor is mixed in a reaction vessel under atmospheric pressure with an amount of roasted high-magnesium nickeliferous silicate ore to form a pulp thereof, the amount of roasted ore being at least sufficient to lower the free acid content of pregnant liquor entering the thickener to a level corresponding to a pH ranging from about 1.8 to 3. The pregnant liquor is conditioned by stirring the pulp thereof at a temperature not exceeding 100.degree. C. for a time sufficient to lower the free acid content of the resulting conditioned pregnant liquor to the desired level and to effect substantial precipitation of iron as iron hydroxide and dissolved silica in the liquor.

Abstract: A process for separately recovering zinc and lead values from zinc and lead containing sulphidic ore which also contains iron comprises subjecting ground ore to a first flotation step to float an initial lead concentrate containing zinc and produce zinc and iron containing tailings. The zinc and iron containing tailings are subjected to a second flotation step to float an initial zinc concentrate containing iron and also produce tailings. The initial zinc concentrate is subjected to a third flotation step to float a further zinc concentrate containing iron and also produce zinc and iron containing tailings. The zinc and iron containing tailings from the third flotation step and at least a lead and zinc containing portion of the initial lead concentrate are leached in a first leach step under oxidizing conditions at a temperature in the range of from about 130.degree. to about 170.degree. C.

Abstract: In the extraction of certain non-ferrous metals from their sulfide ores by a process where these sulfides are converted to water soluble sulfates by roasting, alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate, especially sodium carbonate, is added to the roaster feed to promote the sulfatization reaction. Ores containing copper, nickel, cobalt or zinc sulfides are concentrated by froth flotation, the concentrate mixed with carbonate or bicarbonate and roasted. The roasted product is mixed with water to separate these metals as soluble sulfates from iron compounds and other solid residue. The sulfate solution is filtered from the solids and the non ferrous metals recovered by precipitation or electrolysis.

Abstract: According to the present invention, improved dissolution of nickel and cobalt and thus improved recovery of those desired metal values is achieved by modifying the ore recovery processes wherein sulfuric acid leaching at elevated temperatures is used to dissolve the nickel and cobalt. In particular, according to the present invention, processes are provided wherein the sulfuric acid and ore are contacted at substantially ambient temperature prior to subsequent heating to attain the elevated temperatures of the sulfuric acid leach. Practice of the present invention has been found to result in improved metal value recovery.

Abstract: According to the present invention, Ni- and Co-rich, low Mg fines may be advantageously separated from the coarse fractions of lateritic ores by atmospheric or low pressure leaching. In particular, the process of the present invention comprises contacting a lateritic ore or ore fraction at temperatures from about 20.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. and pressures from about atmospheric to about 200 psig with an aqueous acid solution to form a leach liquor, a leach residue and a fines fraction. The fines fraction which can be separated from the residue with the leach liquor by conventional means such as cycloning is found to be richer in Ni and Co and lower than the remainder of the residue.

Abstract: Vanadium and nickel are recovered from fluid coke or fly ash concurrently with cogeneration of steam by a wet oxidation process at 500.degree.-650.degree. F. and elevated pressure, with a leaching pH of approximately 0.3 maintained by generation of sulfuric acid in situ. Vanadium products are precipitated by oxidation with for example sodium perchlorate with concurrent or subsequent pH adjustment to about pH 2. Following separation of the vanadium pentoxide, nickel powder is preferentially recovered by reduction with hydrogen and ammonia. Steam is generated by recovery of the thermal energy present in the offgases.

Abstract: Process for treating oxidized ores with a manganiferous matrix to recover the small quantities of copper, nickel and cobalt, which consists of attacking the aforementioned ore by means of an aqueous solution of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 with the simultaneous injection of sulfur dioxide, at a temperature which does not exceed boiling point of the medium, at a pH less than 1.5; introducing an alkaline sulfide to precipitate the copper, nickel and cobalt sulfides in the suspension resulting from the attack; and separating by sulfides and the residue by flotation. The process is applicable to attacks on manganiferous nodules obtained from ocean beds as well as to attacks on land manganiferous matrix oxidized ores.

Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process for the recovery of cobalt from cobaltite-pyrite concentrates containing substantial amounts of cobalt, arsenic, iron and sulphur is disclosed. The hydrometallurgical process comprises pressure leaching of the cobaltite-pyrite concentrates with a sodium chloride or sodium sulphate solution at a temperature in the range of 130.degree.-160.degree. C. and under oxygen partial pressures in the range of 75-200 psi to solubilize at least 90% of the cobalt content, while simultaneously precipitating most of the iron and arsenic as jarosite and ferric arsenate.

Abstract: A process for recovering metallic values by putting the values into solution and separating undesired mineral matter from the solution using countercurrent flotation is provided. The process involves leaching metallic values from host rock, conditioning the resultant ore pulp with the required reagents to achieve selective flotation of mineral matter in the metallic values solution, introducing the conditioned ore pulp into flotation cells, along with counterflow of solution from an immediately subsequent flotation step, wherein simultaneous washing and flotation is achieved, and the mineral matter is removed leaving a solution of the metallic values. The resultant mineral matter froth product is subjected to subsequent stages of flotation and simultaneous washing with counterflow of solution removed from each subsequent stage of flotation, water and/or barren solution being used for washing in the final flotation stage.

Abstract: A process for recovering zinc from zinc containing sulphidic material which also contains iron together with lead and/or silver includes leaching the material under oxidizing conditions at a temperature in the range of from about 130.degree. to about 170.degree. C. in aqueous sulphuric acid solution with a stoichiometric excess of sulphuric acid relative to the zinc content of the material of from about 40 to about 100% to produce an undissolved residue containing a major proportion of lead and/or silver and a leach solution containing a major proportion of the zinc and iron. The residue is separated from the leach solution and treated to recover lead and/or silver values. The leach solution is treated to recover zinc by feeding the solution to another process in which zinc-containing material is treated to recover zinc and which includes an iron-precipitation step.

Abstract: Sulphuric acid leaching has been used in the treatment of lateritic ores for the recovery of nickel and cobalt therefrom. However, in order to obtain good extraction from these ores, prolonged treatment using acid of high strength and also using high pressures and recycling steps have been necessary. In the improved method of the invention nickel and cobalt is solubilized from high-magnesia nickeliferous serpentine ores by leaching the ore with an aqueous solution of sulphuric acid while adding to the solution a reducing agent to maintain the redox potential of the solution at a value between 200 and 400 millivolts, measured against the saturated calomel electrode. This improved procedure increases the reactivity of the serpentine and results in maximum extraction of nickel consistent with minimum extraction of iron and magnesia and minimum acid consumption.

Abstract: Zinc, copper and cadmium are recovered from their ferrites by subjecting the ferrites to a sulfuric acid bearing solution in the presence of potassium, sodium or ammonium ions under atmospheric conditions at 80.degree.-105.degree. C. to precipitate the iron present in the ferrites as jarosite, separating at least a portion of the jarosite-bearing solid material from the solution before recycling the solution to a neutral leach, from which a copper and cadmium bearing solution is recovered and to which acid and calcine are also fed, feeding the solid obtained from the neutral leach to the said ferrite treatment stage classifying the solid obtained from the neutral leach into a finer and coarser fraction, feeding the finer fraction to the ferrite treatment stage, comminuting the coarser fraction by grinding, leaching or milling and recycling the comminuted fraction to the process.

Abstract: The impure jarosite residue of an electrolytic zinc process is leached in a sulfuric-acid-bearing solution in order to produce a leach residue which contains lead, silver and gold and a ferrisulfate-bearing solution and to separate them from each other, whereafter the leach residue is sulfidized and froth-flotated in order to recover a combined concentrate which contains lead, silver and gold, and the ferrisulfate-bearing solution is fed to a ferritic treatment stage, in which ferrisulfate and ferrites react in the presence of ions of alkali and ammonium at 80.degree.-105.degree. C. and form pure jarosite and zinc sulfate.

Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process for the treatment of a raw material which contains oxides and ferrites of zinc, copper and cadmium is disclosed, wherein the raw material is neutral leached by means of a sulfuric-acid-bearing solution to leach the oxides without substantial dissolving of the ferrites, a ferrite-bearing residue is separated, and a sulfuric-acid-bearing or ferrisulfate-bearing solution is mixed with the residue in order to leach the ferrite and to precipitate the iron in the form of jarosite in the presence of alkali or ammonium ions under atmospheric conditions at 80.degree.-105.degree. C., and the solid phase is separated from the solution.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of a raw material which contains oxides and ferrites of zinc, copper and cadmium is disclosed, in which the raw material is neutral leached with a sulfuric-acid-bearing solution in order to leach the oxide without substantial dissolving of ferrite, the ferrite-bearing residue is separated, and a sulfuric-acid-bearing or ferrisulfate-bearing solution is mixed with the residue in order to leach the ferrite and to precipitate the iron as jarosite in the presence of alkali ions or ammonium ions under atmospheric conditions at 80.degree.-105.degree. C., the sulfuric-acid-bearing or ferrisulfate-bearing solution being added to the ferrite-bearing residue in such an amount that approximately 50-60% of the ferrite dissolves and its iron precipitates as jarosite, the solid phase is dried and heated to so high a temperature that the zinc of the solid phase is converted to zinc sulfate and its iron to hematite according to the following reaction:(8) 3ZnFe.sub.2 O.sub.4(s) +2A[Fe.sub.3 (SO.

Abstract: A method is provided for recovering copper values from a copper-bearing hematite residue in a single stage. It comprises leaching the residue in an aqueous sulphuric acid solution in the presence of ammonium, sodium or potassium ions, at a temperature between about 80.degree. C. and the boiling point of the solution so that copper values are dissolved while iron is precipitated as jarosite. The method is particularly suitable for the treatment of residues resulting from an oxidizing pressure leach of copper concentrates.

Abstract: A process is provided for purification of nickel sulfate via ammoniacal leaching and pH regulated solvent-extraction, while providing for regeneration of the extractant and the leach solution. The process is especially suited for hydrometallurgical extraction of high purity nickel sulfate from residue resulting in the regeneration of spent electrolyte in the electrorefining of secondary copper. According to the process, the starting material is leached in an ammonia solution of selected pH to solubilize the nickel as polyammine sulfate, followed by extracting the solubilized nickel by pH regulated solvent-extraction. The extractant is then stripped and regenerated with sulfuric acid by first scrubbing in a first pH range to remove ions that are more electropositive than nickel, then stripping with sulfuric acid in a second pH range to remove nickel ions, and then regenerating the extractant by stripping in a third pH range to remove ions that are less electropositive than nickel.

Abstract: A process for precipitating iron as a jarosite from a sulphate solution containing ferric iron, free acid and valuable non-ferrous metals, characterized by cooling the solution; partially neutralizing the free acidity, and then clarifying the solution; heating the clarified solution to a temperature not exceeding the boiling point at atmospheric pressure, in the presence of at least one ion selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium and ammonium ions, and in the presence of recycled jarosite, and without the addition of any further neutralizing agent, so that substantially all of the ferric iron is precipitated as a jarosite; and separating precipitated jarosite from the solution; thereby producing a jarosite contaminated with only minor amounts of non-ferrous metals, and a solution which may be further processed by established procedures for the recovery of dissolved valuable non-ferrous metals therefrom. The invention also contemplates a dilution step, and recycle of jarosite.

Abstract: In a process according to the present invention pre-reduced lateritic ores containing iron and nickel are leached with an aqueous sulphuric acid leach liquor containing or into which is introduced in the presence of the ore a peroxidant selected from hydrogen peroxide and peroxymonosulphuric acid. By so doing, the liquor is obtained with a lower concentration of iron than if the peroxidant had not been employed.In preferred embodiments the leaching is carried out at from 40.degree. to 70.degree. C. for a period of 1 to 5 hours; when hydrogen peroxide is used, it is preferably introduced continuously or progressively throughout the reaction period and when peroxymonosulphuric acid is used it is preferably introduced initially. The acidity of the liquor can be reduced at the end of the reaction to pH3 to 4 to further lower the content of iron in solution.

Abstract: A method of recovering metallic tellurium from a residue dust containing a major amount of lead oxide, a minor amount of tellurium oxide, and a minor amount of iron oxide which comprises the steps of introducing the residue into a leach tank containing water, sulphuric acid and ferric sulphate, the sulphuric acid being present in the leach tank in an amount equal to about 5% to 10% by weight in excess of that stoichiometrically required to react with the lead and tellurium, the ferric sulphate being added as an oxidizing agent, reacting the residue with the sulphuric acid and ferric sulphate to produce lead sulphate and a tellurium solution, removing the lead sulphate and tellurium solution from the leach tank and separating the lead sulphate from the tellurium solution, adding the separated tellurium solution to a tumbler containing particles of metallic iron, agitating the tumbler so that the tellurium solution reacts with the iron to produce ferrous sulphate and metallic tellurium, withdrawing the mixture

Abstract: A process for treating sulfide ores to reduce the sulfur content or recover the metal content therefrom comprises the use of enzymatic action to solubilize the sulfur and metal content.A nutrient, such as a saccharide, is used along with yeast spores which feed on the sugar and produce enzymes which act on sulfur in the sulfide ore to cause the sulfur to go into solution and to dissolve those metals which are soluble in strongly acidic solution. Sulfuric acid can be formed from the sulfide ores or from free sulfur by reaction with water, with evolution of hydrogen sulfide gas. Oxidation of at least a portion of the hydrogen sulfide can be achieved to regenerate sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Molybdenum or other heavy metal anions and ferric sulfate are reclaimed from wastewater skimmings, that result from treatment of wastewaters through formation of insoluble heavy metal ferric salts and flotation, by treating the skimmings with aqueous caustic at 150.degree.-225.degree. F. to form a solution of the heavy metal anions and a residual solids fraction, separating the solids and contacting the residual solids with sulfuric acid to produce ferric sulfate.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of raw materials which contain arsenic and metal to produce a metal-free arsenic product and an arsenic-free metal sulfate is disclosed, in which the raw material is leached by using an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid and then the metals are crystallized as sulfates from the separated aqueous solution, which is separated from the metal sulfate crystals. The leach is performed at elevated temperature under oxidizing conditions, in order to bring the arsenic to a 5-valent form, the metal sulfates are crystallized out from the selectively separated, arsenate-bearing aqueous solution by cooling, and arsenic is removed from at least part of this aqueous solution before the aqueous solution is returned to the leach.

Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process for the treatment of a raw material which contains iron and other metals, with a sulfuric acid solution, in order to dissolve the metals and to precipitate and separate the iron, the separated metal sulfate solution being exposed to evaporation in order to crystallize and separate the metal sulfates from the mother liquor, which is recycled to the treatment stage performed with sulfuric acid solution, and the separated metal sulfate being recovered.

Abstract: A process for precipitation of iron as a jarosite compound from sulfate solution in which said solution fed sequentially through a plurality of reaction zones for oxidation and hydrolysis of ferrous sulfate in the presence of alkali-metal or ammonium ions for jarosite precipitation and simultaneous generation of sulfuric acid is subjected to a "reverse temperature profile", i.e., higher temperature in the last reaction zone than in the first reaction zone, by injection of steam to the last reaction zone.