Abstract: A method of fabricating titanium oxide having a hexagonal column shape is provided. The fabricating method includes preparing a first mixture solution containing oxalic acid and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS), and adding a second mixture solution including titanium to the first mixture solution to fabricate titanium oxide having a hexagonal column shape.

Abstract: Provided is high purity cobalt chloride having a purity of 5N (99.999%) or higher, and a manufacturing method of the high purity cobalt chloride via electrolysis, wherein cobalt having a purity of 5N or higher is used as an anode, a diluted hydrochloric acid bath having a pH of 1.5 to 3.0 is used as an electrolytic solution, the cobalt anode and a cathode plate are partitioned with an anion exchange membrane, and electrodeposition of the cobalt onto the cathode plate is thereby inhibited. An object of this invention is to provide a manufacturing method capable of providing high purity cobalt chloride at a higher purity and at a lower production cost than conventional methods. Under circumstances where demands for cobalt chloride may increase, cobalt chloride needs to be manufactured at high volume and at low cost, and the present invention offers a technique capable of satisfying the foregoing requirements.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing hematite for ironmaking, capable of using a conventional Ca-based neutralizing agent and a base rock-derived neutralizing agent other than the Ca-based neutralizing agent. The method is performed by a process of adding a mineral acid and an oxidizing agent to an ore containing iron and a valuable metal and then leaching the valuable metal under high temperature and pressure, and includes (1) a high-pressure acid leaching step, (2) a preliminary neutralization step, (3) a first solid-liquid separation step, (4) a neutralization step, (5) a second neutralization step, (6) a third solid-liquid separation step, (7) a step of adding part of the Fe-enriched slurry as a seed crystal in the neutralization step (4), and (8) a second solid-liquid separation step.

Abstract: Provided is a hydrometallurgical process of recovering Ni from nickel oxide ore using a high pressure acid leaching, in which abrasion of the facilities caused by an ore slurry is suppressed, the amount of a final neutralized residue is reduced, and impurity components are separated and recovered for recycling. The hydrometallurgical process includes, as steps of the high pressure acid leaching, at least one step selected from step (A): separating and recovering chromite particles in the ore slurry; step (B-1): through leaching step and a solid-liquid separation step, performing neutralization of a leachate obtained after the solid-liquid separation step using a Mg-based alkali such as Mg(OH)2; and step (B-2): through leaching step and a solid-liquid separation step, performing neutralization of a leachate obtained after the solid-liquid separation step using a Mg-based alkali such as Mg(OH)2, and then recovering hematite particles.

Abstract: Provided is a method for efficiently separating nickel, cobalt and/or scandium, and impurities from an acidic solution containing impurities such as manganese, iron, zinc, and aluminum. A valuable-metal extracting agent of the present invention is expressed by general formula (1). In the formula, R1 and R2 each represent the same or different alkyl groups, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a given group, other than an amino group, that bonds with an ? carbon as an amino acid. In general formula (1), the inclusion of a glycine unit, a histidine unit, a lysine unit, an asparagine acid unit, or a normal methylglycine unit is preferred.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to selectively extract cobalt from an acidic solution containing a high concentration of manganese. This cobalt extraction method extracts cobalt from an acidic solution containing manganese and cobalt by subjecting the acidic solution to solvent extraction by means of a valuable metal extraction agent comprising an amide derivative represented by general formula (I). The valuable metal extraction agent is represented by the general formula. In the formula: R1 and R2 each represent the same or different alkyl group; R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; and R4 represents a hydrogen atom or any given group aside from an amino group bonded to the ? carbon as an amino acid. Preferably, the general formula has a glycine unit, a histidine unit, a lysine unit, an aspartic acid unit, or an N-methylglycine unit. Preferably, the pH of the acidic solution is 3.5-5.5 inclusive.

Abstract: In an autoclave in a high pressure acid leaching process in which starting material slurry and sulfuric acid are stirred by stirring machines in each compartment in the autoclave partitioned by partition walls to proceed leaching, and slurry is transferred from a compartment on an upstream side to a compartment on a downstream side to sequentially proceed leaching, wherein starting material slurry supply tubes having the starting material slurry discharge ports and sulfuric acid supply tubes having sulfuric acid discharge ports are alternately disposed on a perimeter of stirring blades of the stirring machine provided in the compartment at an upstream end, and the starting material slurry and sulfuric acid are added to the compartment at the upstream end from the starting material slurry discharge ports and the sulfuric acid discharge ports positioned higher than an uppermost part of the stirring blades and lower than a contained liquid surface.

Abstract: A method for recovering rare earth compounds, vanadium and nickel from waste vanadium-nickel catalysts, comprising steps of: acid leaching, by soaking waste vanadium-nickel catalysts into a sulfuric acid solution and obtaining a mixture containing alumina silica slag; sedimentation, by filtering out the alumina silica slag from the mixture to obtain a filtrate, and then adding a salt into the filtrate to precipitate rare earth double salts followed by isolating a sediment of rare earth double salts and a liquid solution via filtration; and extraction, by providing and adding an alkali into the sediment of rare earth double salts followed by further soaking the rare earth double salts in an acid solution to precipitate rare earth oxalate or rare earth carbonate, and adding an oxidizer into the liquid solution to adjust the pH value thereof and then extracting vanadium and nickel from the liquid solution via an ion-exchange resin.

Abstract: The method for obtaining an acid solution containing nickel is obtained by treating a positive electrode material of a nickel-metal hydride battery. The method includes a water-washing step, wherein a positive electrode material of a nickel-metal hydride battery is water-washed by adding water, and then separated to form a positive electrode material after water-washing and a water-washed slurry. An acid-washing step then is performed, wherein an acid is added and mixed into the positive electrode material obtained after water-washing in the water-washing step, and, separation is performed to form a positive electrode material after acid-washing and an acid-washed slurry. A dissolution step is performed wherein the positive electrode material obtained in the acid-washing step is separated into a nickel solution and a dissolution residue by adding any one of an acid and an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating nickel and other valuable metals particularly from material having low nickel content, which contains iron and magnesium in addition to nickel and other valuable metals. The material having low nickel content is subjected to pulping and atmospheric leaching in acidic and oxidizing conditions, in which the majority of the metals in the material dissolve and the iron is partially precipitated. The precipitated iron is separated from the solution, after which nickel and the other dissolved valuable metals are precipitated as sulphides.

Abstract: In a device and a process for purifying water which is contaminated with sulphate ions and heavy metal ions, the water is collected in a water reservoir and a substance having basic activity in water is fed to the water reservoir in such a manner that a precipitant having heavy metal ions is precipitated from the water, wherein at least a subquantity of water is taken off from the water reservoir and is separated into pure water which is substantially freed from sulphate ions and heavy metal ions and dirty water which is enriched with sulphate ions and heavy metal ions. The dirty water is at least in part recirculated to the water reservoir, as a result of which a concentration of sulphate ions in the water reservoir is achieved such that a precipitant having sulphate ions is precipitated from the water.

Abstract: Provided is a production method for refining iron oxide (hematite), which has such a low sulfur content as to be used as a raw material for ironmaking from a leach residue containing iron oxide, the leach residue being produced by a high pressure acid leach (HPAL) process and being a raw material that can be cheaply and stably procured. In the method of producing (high purity) hematite for ironmaking by a process of adding an oxidant and sulfuric acid to nickel oxide ore and then leaching nickel, a leach residue obtained after the leaching of nickel is heated to 600° C. or more, and preferably 800° C. or more and 1400° C. or less.

Abstract: Provided is a production method for refining iron oxide (hematite), which has such a low sulfur content as to be used as an iron-making raw material, from a leach residue containing iron oxide produced by a high pressure acid leach (HPAL) process. In the method for refining iron oxide for ironmaking by a process of adding sulfuric acid to nickel oxide ore and then leaching nickel from the nickel oxide ore using a pressure vessel, an amount of the sulfuric acid added is 150 kg or more and 220 kg or less per ton of nickel oxide ore.

Abstract: The present invention is such that, with H1 being the height from a slurry outlet to a control liquid level, H2 being the height from the control liquid level to the top of a flash vessel, and being the diameter of the flash vessel, 0.35D?H1?0.45D, and 0.75D?H2?0.85D, and at least one liquid level sensor detects a slurry liquid surface at a control liquid level; when the liquid level sensor detects a slurry liquid surface which has risen, a slurry discharge valve installed on a slurry discharge pipe derived from the flash vessel is opened; and when the liquid level sensor detects a slurry liquid surface which has fallen, the slurry discharge valve is closed, whereby opening and closing of the valve is appropriately controlled thereby to reduce troubles with a steam discharge pipe, the slurry discharge pipe, and the slurry discharge valve.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, leaching the roasted metal hearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution, conditioning the pregnant leach solution to thrill a preprocessed metal bearing material; and leaching the preprocessed metal bearing material in acid medium.

Abstract: A nickel recovery loss reduction method that makes it possible to reduce nickel recovery loss by lowering the concentration of fine floating solid components in overflow liquid in precipitating and separating treatments, and consequently to further reduce a nickel recovery loss, a hydrometallurgical method for nickel oxidized ore to which the nickel recovery loss reduction method is applied, and a sulfurizing treatment system. The present invention is a nickel recovery loss reduction method in a sulfurizing step for blowing hydrogen sulfide gas into a nickel containing sulfuric acid aqueous solution to generate nickel-containing sulfides and a barren liquid, and the nickel-containing sulfides with the average particle size adjusted to a predetermined size or larger are added as seed crystals to the sulfuric acid aqueous solution. It is more preferable to adjust the average particle size of the nickel sulfides to be added as seed crystals to 55 ?m or more.

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 method for separating nickel, cobalt and a rare earth element from a material containing positive and negative electrode active materials of a nickel-metal hydride battery includes mixing a material containing positive and negative electrode active materials with a sulfuric acid solution and dissolving therein, and then separating a leachate from a residue; adding an alkali metal sulfate to the leachate to obtain a mixed precipitate of double sulfate of rare earth elements, and a rare-earth-element-free solution; and adding a sulfurizing agent to the rare-earth-element-free solution to separate a nickel and cobalt sulfide raw material and a residual solution.

Abstract: The method for obtaining an acid solution containing nickel is obtained by treating a positive electrode material of a nickel-metal hydride battery. The method includes a water-washing step, wherein a positive electrode material of a nickel-metal hydride battery is water-washed by adding water, and then separated to form a positive electrode material after water-washing and a water-washed slurry. An acid-washing step then is performed, wherein an acid is added and mixed into the positive electrode material obtained after water-washing in the water-washing step, and, separation is performed to form a positive electrode material after acid-washing and an acid-washed slurry. A dissolution step is performed wherein the positive electrode material obtained in the acid-washing step is separated into a nickel solution and a dissolution residue by adding any one of an acid and an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method comprising leaching a cobalt bearing material to form a slurry, filtering the slurry to yield solids and a cobalt bearing liquid phase, and forwarding the solids to a second leaching operation.

Abstract: A method for recovering base metal values from oxide ore is provided, where the ore includes a first group metal selected from nickel, cobalt and copper. The method includes reducing ore particle size to suit the latter unit operation, favoring contact for the metal elements, contacting the ore with ferric or ferrous chloride, hydrated or anhydrous, to produce a mix of ore and iron (II or III) chloride subjecting the mixture of the ore and ferric or ferrous chloride to enough energy to decompose the chlorides into hydrochloric acid and a iron oxides from the second group, forming their respective chlorides, selectively dissolve the produced base metal chlorides, leaving the metal as oxides and in the solid state, and recovering the dissolved base metal values from aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method for leaching of minerals and sequestration of CO2 is disclosed, wherein the method comprises forming a rock pile; injecting exhaust gas containing CO2 in the lower part of the rock pile; spraying leaching liquid on top of the rock pile; collecting enriched leaching liquid from a lower part of the rock pile; precipitating mineral carbonates from the enriched leaching liquid, or further extracting dissolved elements or compounds.

Abstract: A process is described for the recovery of nickel and/or cobalt from laterite or partially oxidized lateritic ores having a substantial proportion of the iron present in the ferrous state. The process includes providing a laterite or partially oxidized laterite ore wherein a substantial proportion of the iron present in the ore is in the ferrous state; acid leaching the ore to provide a product leach solution containing at least ferrous iron, nickel and cobalt together with acid soluble impurities; and recovering the nickel and cobalt from the product leach solution with a selective ion exchange resin in an ion exchange process leaving the ferrous iron and other acid soluble impurities in the raffinate.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for preparing metal salts and selectively separating metals from substrates and other metals. The methods can include a thionyl reagent that reacts with a metal in a solution to produce a metal salt. The reaction can be controlled by varying reagents and conditions such that the method can be used to selectively separate one or more metals from another metal or from a substrate. The method can also be used for removing metals from a surface. Compositions produced by the method are also described.

Abstract: A production process of a sulfide containing nickel and cobalt by adding a sulfurizing agent under pressurization into an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid containing nickel and cobalt, which is capable of recovering nickel and cobalt as a sulfide in high yield, as well as enhancing the utilization efficiency of hydrogen sulfide gas. A production process of a sulfide containing nickel and cobalt by adding a sulfurizing agent under pressurization into an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid containing nickel and cobalt, characterized by supplying, as the above sulfurizing agent, hydrogen sulfide gas into the vapor phase of inside of a reactor, as a major sulfurizing agent, as well as, by supplying an aqueous solution containing a sodium hydrosulfide, which is recovered by absorbing unreacted hydrogen sulfide gas, which is discharged from inside of the reactor in producing the above sulfide, with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, into the liquid phase.

Abstract: There is provided a process for recovering AB5 alloy from spent nickel hydride storage batteries and/or their cells without thermal melting or dissolving the AB5 alloy. The process comprises a step of dissolving the Ni(OH)2 and separating AB5 alloy and still containing the lanthanum metal.

Abstract: A method of selectively leaching a metal such as nickel from an ore or ore processing intermediate comprising the metal and cobalt. The ore or ore processing intermediate is contacted with an acidic leach solution comprising an amount of an oxidising agent sufficient to oxidise a major portion of the cobalt to thereby cause it to be stabilised in the solid phase while a major portion of the metal is dissolved for subsequent recovery.

Abstract: A method of processing waste iron chloride solution including ferrous chloride, ferric chloride or mixtures thereof and optionally free hydrochloric acid, includes concentrating waste iron chloride solution into concentrated liquid having iron chloride concentration of at least 30%-40% by weight; optionally oxidizing ferrous chloride in the concentrated liquid from the concentration step to ferric chloride providing liquid containing ferric chloride; hydrolyzing the liquid containing ferric chloride from the oxidation step at 155-350° C.

Abstract: A process to use ferric sulphate equilibrium to reduce overall acid consumption and iron extraction, the process comprising the steps of: (i) sulphating; (ii) selective pyrolysis and (iii) selective dissolution.

Abstract: A method for leaching cobalt from a non-lateritic oxidized cobalt ore, the method comprising the method steps of: curing the non-lateritic oxidized cobalt ore to be leached through the application of an aqueous solution of a cobalt reducing agent selected from the group: iron (II) salts, sulfite salts, sulfur dioxide, and combinations thereof; at a pressure of between about atmospheric pressure and about 5 atmospheres, at a temperature between about 5° C. and about 65° C.; wherein the pH of the aqueous solution of the cobalt reducing agent is between about 1.0 and 10.

Abstract: A heap leach process for the recovery of nickel and/or cobalt from a laterite ore, said process including the steps of: a) providing one or more heaps of a nickeliferous laterite ore; b) leaching the ore in a heap leach step by applying acid to one or more heaps to provide a pregnant leach solution; c) neutralizing the pregnant leach solution with ground saprolite ore; and d) recovering the nickel and/or cobalt from the neutralized pregnant leach solution.

Abstract: The disclosure provides to a PDC element protective system including a mask configured to protect a non-leached portion of a leached polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) element during a leaching process. The mask may be formed from or coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The disclosure also provides a leaching system containing such a mask and a leaching vessel as well as methods of using the protective and leaching systems. The disclosure further provides a Lewis acid-based leaching agent and methods of its use. Finally, the disclosure provides a method of recycling a PDC or carbide element using a Lewis acid-based leaching agent.

Abstract: The disclosure provides to a PDC element protective system including a mask configured to protect a non-leached portion of a leached polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) element during a leaching process. The mask may be formed from or coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The disclosure also provides a leaching system containing such a mask and a leaching vessel as well as methods of using the protective and leaching systems. The disclosure further provides a Lewis acid-based leaching agent and methods of its use. Finally, the disclosure provides a method of recycling a PDC or carbide element using a Lewis acid-based leaching agent.

Abstract: A process for leaching an ore containing sulfidic copper-containing minerals includes carrying out an aerated oxidizing leach of a part of the ore and producing an acidic leach liquor containing ferrous ions, ferric ions, and copper ions in solution. The process also includes carrying out a leach of another part of the ore using the leach liquor under conditions that minimize reactions with a source of iron in the ore and producing a leach liquor containing copper ions in solution. The process further includes recovering copper from the leach liquor.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating nano-catalysts are described. In some embodiments the nano-catalyst is formed from a powder-based substrate material and is some embodiments the nano-catalyst is formed from a solid-based substrate material. In some embodiments the substrate material may include metal, ceramic, or silicon or another metalloid. The nano-catalysts typically have metal nanoparticles disposed adjacent the surface of the substrate material. The methods typically include functionalizing the surface of the substrate material with a chelating agent, such as a chemical having dissociated carboxyl functional groups (—COO), that provides an enhanced affinity for metal ions. The functionalized substrate surface may then be exposed to a chemical solution that contains metal ions. The metal ions are then bound to the substrate material and may then be reduced, such as by a stream of gas that includes hydrogen, to form metal nanoparticles adjacent the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An atmospheric leach process for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from lateritic ores includes providing limonitic and saprolitic ore fractions of a laterite ore; separately slurrying the limonitic and saprolitic ore fractions to produce a limonitic ore slurry and a saprolitic ore slurry; separating any limonitic type minerals from the saprolitic ore slurry to produce a saprolitic feed slurry; milling or wet grinding the saprolitic feed slurry; leaching the limonitic ore slurry with concentrated sulfuric acid in a primary leach step; introducing the saprolitic feed slurry to the leach process in a secondary leach step by combining the saprolitic feed slurry with the leached limonite slurry following substantial completion of the primary leach step, and releasing sulfuric acid to assist in leaching the saprolite feed slurry.

Abstract: A method of recovering minerals from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be contacted with an agent sufficient to remove minerals therefrom. The agent is typically a solution containing a solvent, leachant, chelating agent and the like via which minerals can be removed having value, toxic minerals, radioactive minerals and the like.

Abstract: A process to use ferric sulphate equilibrium to reduce overall acid consumption and iron extraction, the process comprising the steps of: (i) sulphating; (ii) selective pyrolysis and (iii) selective dissolution.

Abstract: In various aspects, the invention provides processes that use relatively low levels of acid to leach lean nickel ores, including processes that provide relatively high levels of extraction of nickel and cobalt from nickel laterite ores, in conjunction with relatively low levels of iron extraction.

Abstract: A hydrometallurgical process for a nickel oxide ore comprising obtaining an aqueous solution of crude nickel sulfate by high pressure acid leaching of a nickel oxide ore; obtaining a zinc free final solution by sulfurization of the solution; obtaining a waste solution; and scrubbing hydrogen sulfide gas from an exhaust gas. The process is characterized by at least one of the following operations: Adjusting the total volume (m3) of a sulfurization reactor to a ratio of 0.2-0.9 (m3/kg/h) relative to the input mass (kg/h) of the nickel to be introduced to the reactor; and/or subjecting the waste solution and the exhaust gas to countercurrent contact, then introducing the exhaust gas back to the scrubber and charging the waste solution from the scrubber into the sulfurization reactor.

Abstract: A method for recovering base metal values from oxide ore is provided, where the ore includes a first group metal selected from nickel, cobalt and copper. The method includes reducing ore particle size to suit the latter unit operation, favoring contact for the metal elements, contacting the ore with ferric or ferrous chloride, hydrated or anhydrous, to produce a mix of ore and iron (II or III) chloride subjecting the mixture of the ore and ferric or ferrous chloride to enough energy to decompose the chlorides into hydrochloric acid and a iron oxides from the second group, forming their respective chlorides, selectively dissolve the produced base metal chlorides, leaving the metal as oxides and in the solid state, and recovering the dissolved base metal values from aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method of sequestering carbon dioxide emissions during recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating, the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Additionally, during heating, any carbon dioxide that is produced can be sequestered. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.

Abstract: A process for recovering a target metal from an oxidized metalliferous material comprises the steps of: in an acid generation stage, adding sulfuric acid to a solution comprising a metal halide to generate an acidic aqueous halide solution; in a leaching stage that is separate to the acid generation stage, leaching the oxidized metalliferous material with the acidic aqueous halide solution to leach the target metal into solution; passing the solution from the leaching stage to a target metal recovery stage in which the target metal is recovered from the solution while the metal halide is retained in solution; and returning the solution with the metal halide therein from the target metal recovery stage to the acid generation stage.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for refining iron from high-phosphorus content iron ores. The process involves mixing a high-phosphorus iron oxide ore and an alkaline solution of pH between about 12.5 and 13.5, screening the mixture by gravity to separate an alkaline-high-phosphorus solution from a low-phosphorus iron ore; and treating the low-phosphorus iron ore with lime and a natural gas.

Abstract: Process for the treatment of a lateritic nickel/cobalt ore consisting of a mixture (2) of limonite and saprolite, characterized in that: the mixture (2) in the presence of an iron-precipitating agent is made into a pulp (1), having a solids content of between 10 and 40% by weight; the pulp undergoes a leaching operation (4) with sulphuric acid (5), at a temperature between 70° C. and the boiling point and at atmospheric pressure; and a solid-liquid separation (8) is carried out so as to obtain an iron-containing solid residue (9) and a solution containing nickel and cobalt ions. Process for producing nickel and/or cobalt intermediate concentrates or commercial products using the above process.

Abstract: A method for leaching cobalt from a non-lateritic oxidised cobalt ore, the method comprising the method steps of: curing the non-lateritic oxidised cobalt ore to be leached through the application of an aqueous solution of a cobalt reducing agent selected from the group: iron (II) salts, sulfite salts, sulfur dioxide, and combinations thereof; at a pressure of between about atmospheric pressure and about 5 atmospheres, at a temperature between about 5° C. and about 65° C.; wherein the pH of the aqueous solution of the cobalt reducing agent is between about 1.0 and 10.

Abstract: An atmospheric leaching process for the recovery of a nickel and cobalt from a lateritic ore includes (a) preparing a slurry of the lateritic ore with saline or hypersaline water having a total dissolved solids (TDS) content greater than 30 g/L; (b) leaching the slurry of the lateritic ore with sulfuric acid at atmospheric pressure, and (c) recovering nickel and cobalt from the resultant leachate.

Abstract: A method is provided for extracting nickel values from nickel-containing ores. The method comprises (a) treating a nickel-containing ore with an acid, thereby producing an acid treated ore; (b) baking the acid treated ore, thereby producing a baked ore; (c) leaching nickel from the baked ore to form a leachate; and (d) extracting nickel values from the leachate through the use of an ion exchange resin.

Abstract: A process for heap leaching a laterite that includes providing a primary and a secondary heap, with the primary heap comprising predominantly a nickel and cobalt containing sulfide or saprolitic type ore, and the secondary heap comprising predominantly a nickel and cobalt limonitic type ore; leaching the primary heap with a sulfuric acid solution to generate a solution that includes ferrous ions; and using the solution that includes the ferrous ion as the lixiviant to leach the secondary heap, to produce a pregnant leach solution that includes nickel, cobalt and manganese ions.

Abstract: A method for recovering base metal values from oxide ore is provided, where the ore includes a first group metal selected from iron, magnesium and aluminum and a second group metal selected from nickel, cobalt and copper. The method includes reducing ore particle size to suit the latter unit operations, favoring contact of the metal elements, contacting the ore with ferric or ferrous chloride, hydrated or anhydrous, to produce a mix of ore and iron(II or III) chloride, subjecting the mixture of the ore and ferric or ferrous chloride to enough energy to decompose the chlorides into hydrochloric acid and a iron oxide, contacting the readily-formed hydrochloric acid with the base metal oxides from the second group, forming their respective chlorides, selectively dissolve the produced base metal chlorides, leaving the metals as oxides and in the solid state, and recovering the dissolved base metal values from aqueous solution.