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: A system for cooling and recuperative heating of a slurry in a metallurgical process which includes heat exchangers, pumps and autoclaves is described herein. The heat exchangers use a non-scaling common liquid heat transfer medium. Preferably, the heat exchangers are tube-in-tube heat exchangers with 3 to 7 slurry tubes in each heat exchanger. An advantage of this system is that it does not use flash tanks. To minimize abrasive wear on impinged surfaces, the velocity of the slurry is not more than 5 meters per second. The slurry comprises a solids concentration of 25% to 50%. Preferably, the pumps in the system are float-type pumps in which the driven liquid from the discharge pumps is also used as the drive liquid for the feed pumps.

Abstract: There is provided a method of treating a metalliferrous material, comprising providing a metalliferrous material including at least one target metallic element, solubilising the metalliferrous material so as to effect production of an intermediate product including an operative solution. The operative solution includes a solvent component and a solute component. The solute component includes at least one solute component-based target metallic element and each one of the at least one solute component-based target metallic element corresponds to a one of the at least one target metallic element of the metalliferrous material such that the operative solution includes at least one target metallic element.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods relating to advanced, high pressure oxidation are described. The devices, systems, and methods can be used to decontaminate ground water in a well or opening in a ground water table, and to recover minerals and hydrocarbons from subterranean deposits.

Abstract: Processes for metal leaching/solvent extraction are described which comprise: (a) providing a first aqueous leach pulp which comprises a mixture of leached solids and an aqueous leach solution comprising a metal, a leaching agent and water; (b) subjecting the first aqueous leach pulp to a first solid-liquid separation to provide a first clarified aqueous leach solution and a second aqueous leach pulp, wherein the second aqueous leach pulp comprises the leached solids at a % solids level greater than the first pulp; (c) subjecting the first clarified aqueous leach solution to a first solvent extraction prior to any significant dilution, whereby a first aqueous raffinate is obtained; (d) subjecting the second aqueous leach pulp to a second solid-liquid separation with dilution via an aqueous stream to obtain a second clarified aqueous leach solution; and (e) subjecting the second clarified aqueous leach solution to a second solvent extraction whereby a second is aqueous raffinate is obtained.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for improving component extraction from heap leach operations. Following heap leaching for some time, portions of the heap deficient in component extraction are identified, and treatment wells are drilled and remedial treatments are selectively performed on the identified portions of the heap. The remedial treatment can include hydraulically fracturing the identified portions of the heap followed by selective treatment with leach solution of the area impacted by the fracturing.

Abstract: A method for scrubbing an amine extractant (A) containing an amine added with hydrochloric acid, and an amine binding a metal chloro complex ion, in a scrubbing stage constituting a solvent extraction step, characterized by substituting a chloride ion of the amine, which is added with hydrochloric acid, with sulfuric acid ion, by bringing the amine extractant (A) into contact with a sulfuric acid solution with a concentration of 3 to 10 N, and subsequently, by eliminating a metal by bringing the substituted amine extractant (B) into contact with water.

Abstract: A process for recovering rare earth elements from a composite ore containing rare earth elements that includes a monazite group mineral and an apatite mineral, includes pre-leaching the composite ore with an acid so as to substantially dissolve the apatite mineral into the leach liquor and precipitating rare earth elements from the pre-leach liquor. The residue of the pre-leaching step is subjected to an acid bake treatment, followed by a water leach, to produce a water leach liquor rich in rare earth elements. Impurities including thorium and iron are separated from the water leach liquor by introducing a neutralizing additive to the water leach liquor rich in rare earth elements, and rare earth elements are precipitated from the post-neutralization liquor.

Abstract: A heap leach process for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from a lateritic ore, said process including the steps of leaching and/or agglomerating the ore with a lixiviant that includes ferrous ions, wherein the lixiviant is able to liberate cobalt from the cobalt containing minerals within the ore in preference to nickel, to produce a cobalt rich pregnant leach solution relatively free of nickel.

Abstract: A mineral processing facility is provided that includes a cogen plant to provide electrical energy and waste heat to the facility and an electrochemical acid generation plant to generate, from a salt, a mineral acid for use in recovering valuable metals.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from a nickeliferous oxidic ore by heap leaching and/or atmospheric agitation leaching, the process including the steps of: mixing a sulfur containing reductant selected from reductants that do not include copper into a nickeliferous oxidic ore; leaching the reductant/ore mixture with an acidic leach reagent to produce a pregnant leach solution including nickel, cobalt, iron substantially in a ferrous form and other acid soluble impurities; and recovering the nickel and cobalt from the pregnant leach solution.

Abstract: The separation method for zinc sulfide, in the hydrometallurgical process by a High Pressure Acid Leach for nickel oxide ore comprising leaching and solid/liquid separation step, neutralization step, zinc removal step, and nickel recovery step, which can inhibit clogging of a filter cloth and reduce a frequency of washing operation and replacement operation of a filter cloth by improving filtration performance of zinc sulfide, and inhibit decrease of nickel recovery ratio, in the zinc removal step in which zinc sulfide is formed by adding a sulfurizing agent to the neutralization final liquid containing zinc as well as nickel and cobalt and zinc sulfide is separated to obtain a mother liquid for nickel recovery containing nickel and cobalt. The separation method for zinc sulfide of the present invention is characterized in that in the above-described neutralization step, the leach residue is added to the leach liquor, and pH of the neutralization final liquid is adjusted so as to fall to the range from 3.

Abstract: The present invention embodies a process for extraction of nickel, cobalt, and other metals from laterite ores by heap leaching, and of the product obtained as well, characterized by the fact that it is comprised of crushing (I), agglomeration (II), stacking (III), and heap leaching (IV) stages, with this last stage being a continuous, counter-current, heap leaching system with two or more stages, comprised of two phases, one of which is composed of the ore (solute), and the other is composed of the leaching solution, or solvent, which are supplied at opposite ends of a series of stages and flow in opposite directions. Upon cessation of leaching in the last stage, its solute is removed and a new stage is introduced at the first position, formed by new ore (solute) to be leached by the solvent solution, which is introduced from the last stage, percolating or flowing though all the previous stages until it reaches the first stage, being separated if loaded with target metals (PLS).

Abstract: A method of physicochemical leaching valuable metals is able to increase the leaching rate of nickel and magnesium contained in laterites, nickel ores, with a low concentration acid solution by using mechano-chemical effect. That is a method to add external energy to laterites containing nickel and magnesium to physically disintegrate their crystals and exposure nickels captured inside of the crystals to leach nickel and magnesium with a low concentration acid solution. It is a useful method to solve conventional problems such as the high energy cost of pyrometallurgical treatment and excessive use of strong acids of hydrometallurgical method.

Abstract: A process for the separation of nickel, cobalt or both from impurity elements selected from one or more of calcium, magnesium, manganese and chloride contained in a leach solution, the process comprising the step of subjecting the leach solution to solvent extraction using a carboxylic acid (such as Versatic 10), a hydroxyoxime such as LIX 63, a kinetic accelerator such as TBP, and optionally a stabilizer.

Abstract: Porous, ferro- or ferrimagnetic, glass particles are described that selectively bind molecules of interest, especially nucleic acid molecules, under appropriate conditions. Methods of preparing the porous, ferro- or ferrimagnetic, glass particles and their use for identifying or separating molecules of interest are also described. Kits comprising the porous, ferro- or ferrimagnetic, glass particles are also provided.

Abstract: A heap leach process for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from a lateritic ore, said process including the steps of leaching and/or agglomerating the ore with a lixiviant that includes ferrous ions, wherein the lixiviant is able to liberate cobalt from the cobalt containing minerals within the ore in preference to nickel, to produce a cobalt rich pregnant leach solution relatively free of nickel.

Abstract: A process for producing metal compounds directly from underground mineral deposits including the steps of forming a borehole at a site into a mineral deposit containing metal compounds, inserting a slurry-forming device having a nozzle into the borehole adapted to direct pressurized water through the nozzle into the mineral deposit, supplying pressured water through the nozzle into the mineral deposit forming a mineral slurry containing metal compounds, extracting the mineral slurry containing metal compounds through the borehole, leaching the mineral slurry to convert the metal compounds to a soluble form in a leach solution, and removing metals and metal compounds by treating the leach solution with an extraction treatment adapted to remove the metal products. Steps of leaching the mineral slurry and removing metal products are performed at a location remote from the borehole site. Alternatively, the step of removing metal products from mineral slurry may be accomplished by pyrometallurgical processes.

Abstract: A novel process for complete utilization of olivine is based on purification of brine by oxidation and precipitation of iron and nickel compounds.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from laterite ores, the process including the steps of: a) beneficiating the ore to separate it into a beneficiated upgraded ore fraction and a coarse, siliceous low grade rejects fraction which is substantially free from fines and clay materials; b) separately processing the upgraded ore fraction for the recovery of nickel and cobalt; and c) subjecting the low grade rejects fraction to a heap leach process with an acid supplemented solution to create a heap leachate for further nickel and cobalt recovery processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, by means of which the valuable metals contained in a sulphidic, multicomponent concentrate are recovered using hydrometallurgical treatment. One constituent of the concentrate is copper sulphide, which is leached using an alkali chloride-copper (II) chloride solution. The sulphides of other valuable metals, such as zinc, nickel, cobalt and lead are leached before copper leaching and each is recovered as a separate product before copper recovery.

Abstract: A process for recovering catalytic metals from fine catalyst slurried in heavy oil comprises pyrolizing fine catalyst slurried in heavy oil to provide one or more lighter oil products and a coke-like material and recovering catalytic metals from the coke-like material.

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

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: A microbiological heap leaching simulation process wherein material, representative of ore in a heap, is microbiologically leached in a housing and the temperature of the material at a plurality of locations in the housing is monitored and controlled to reduce heat loss from the housing.

Abstract: A pressure leaching system for use in a leaching operation including: at least one reaction zone for receiving a slurry of material to be leached from a slurry source, the reaction zone being disposed relative to the slurry source such that slurry is resident in the reaction zone under gravity thereby providing at least part of the pressurisation required for the leaching operation.

Abstract: A process for the oxidative leaching of sulphide mineral species, the method characterized by the method steps of: leaching a slurry containing the mineral species in one or more reaction vessels; circulating a stream of leach liquor to a flash cooler; flashing the liquor in the flash cooler at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure so as to dissipate heat; and recirculating the liquor to the or each reaction vessel.

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: The hydrometallurgical Process for a nickel oxide ore, which is capable of preventing inevitable operation shutdown of a leaching step and maintaining high operation efficiency as a whole process, in a trouble of the steps other than the leaching step, in a hydrometallurgical Process for a nickel oxide ore using a High Pressure Acid Leach.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of nickel and/or cobalt from an impure nickel, cobalt or mixed nickel/cobalt material including the steps of: a) providing a nickel, cobalt or mixed nickel/cobalt material; and b) contacting the nickel, cobalt or mixed nickel/cobalt material with a feed ammoniacal ammonium carbonate solution and a reductant in a leach step.

Abstract: A process for production of titanium concentrate with low contents of radionuclide elements from anatase mechanical concentrates. The process involves calcination in air and reduction with hydrogen or any other reducing gas, both in fluidized bed reactor or rotary kiln, low-intensity magnetic separation of the reduced product, high-intensity magnetic separation of the non-magnetic fraction resulting from the low-intensity magnetic separation, hydrochloric acid leaching of the product of high-intensity magnetic separation, filtering and dewatering of the leached product, high temperature oxidation of the dewatered material, cooling of the oxidized ore, hydrochloric acid leaching of the oxidation product in the presence of sodium fluoride, filtration and drying of the product of the second leaching and high intensity magnetic separation, the non-magnetic fraction of this final magnetic separation becoming the end product.

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 method for treating a polymetallic sulfide ore containing gold and/or silver, and further containing base metals selected from the group consisting of iron, aluminum, chromium, titanium, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, cobalt, mercury, tin, and mixtures thereof, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of grinding the polymetallic sulfide ore to produce granules, oxidizing the granules to produce oxidized granules, and chloride leaching the granules using a brine solution including dissolved halogens, as well as chloride and bromide salts.

Abstract: A process for recovering nickel from a solid feed material containing nickel in the form of millerite is disclosed. The process includes treating a slurry of the solid feed material and a process solution so that all or at least part of the nickel in the millerite forms an acid leachable solid form. The process also includes pressure acid leaching the treated slurry and leaching nickel in solids in the slurry into solution. Finally, the process includes recovering nickel from solution.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides a method of recovering gold from each of at least two different refractory gold-bearing sulfidic mineral materials. A first mineral material is subjected to biooxidation pretreatment to release gold locked within sulfide minerals. The biooxidation produces an acidic biooxidation liquor effluent that contains significant dissolved iron in the ferric form. All or a portion of the biooxidation liquor effluent is used as an acidic treatment liquid to treat the second mineral material, which contains acid-consuming minerals. During the treatment, acid-consuming minerals react with the acidic solution, raising solution pH and resulting in reduced solubility and precipitation of dissolved iron and other metals. Also during the treating, sulfides in the second mineral material or oxidized, thereby releasing gold for subsequent recovery.

Abstract: A pressure leaching system for use in a leaching operation including: at least one reaction zone for receiving a slurry of material to be leached from a slurry source, the reaction zone being disposed relative to the slurry source such that slurry is resident in the reaction zone under gravity thereby providing at least part of the pressurisation required for the leaching operation.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of a base metal such as Ni, Co or Zn, from suiphide ore or concentrate containing copper and the base metal comprises the step of subjecting the ore or concentrate to pressure oxidation in the presence of oxygen and an acidic solution containing halide and sulphate ions to produce a product solution containing copper and the base metal. The product solution is subjected to a copper extraction process for recovering copper from the solution and the product solution containing the base metal after copper recovery is recirculated for recycled to the pressure oxidation to effect build-up of the base metal in the product solution. Preferably, a stream which is split from the product solution is treated for the recovery of the base metal.

Abstract: An atmospheric leach process in the recovery of nickel and cobalt from lateritic ores, said processing including the steps of: a) separating the lateritic ore into a low magnesium containing ore fraction, and a high magnesium containing ore fraction by selective mining or post mining classification; b) separately slurrying the separated ore fractions; c) leaching the low magnesium containing ore fraction with concentrated sulphuric acid as a primary leach step; and d) introducing the high magnesium content ore slurry following substantial completion of the primary leach step and precipitating iron as goethite or another low sulphate containing form of iron oxide or iron hydroxide, wherein sulphuric acid released during iron precipitation is used to leach the high magnesium ore fraction as a secondary leach step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining metals from a cobalt and/or nickel arsenic sulfide ore or ore concentrate and/or a cobalt and/or nickel sulfide ore or ore concentrate, according to which the cobalt and/or nickel arsenic sulfide ore or ore concentrate and/or the cobalt and/or nickel sulfide ore or ore concentrate is reacted with sulfur or sulfur arsenic compounds to a reaction product, and dissolving and removing soluble metals and rare-earth metals.

Abstract: A reactor 20 has a plurality of tubular downcomers 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and risers 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, joined by sections 86, 88 in a continuous serpentine path the tubes dimensioned to provide substantially plug flow conditions for solid and liquid reagents fed into a first downcomer 24 with the products extracted from final riser 52. The reactor 20 is designed for a desired residence time by the number, height and diameter of the tubes. The downcomers 24, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 may include a bend to improve residence time and to thereby reduce the number of tubes required for a desired overall residence time. The reactor 20 can be used in a leaching operation for producing synthetic rutile, where a pre-treated feedstock including ilmenite, leueoxene or titania slag is leached with hot HCl.

Abstract: A process for the oxidative leaching of sulphide mineral species, the method characterised by the method steps of: leaching a slurry containing the mineral species in one or more reaction vessels; circulating a stream of leach liquor to a flash cooler; flashing the liquor in the flash cooler at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure so as to dissipate heat; and recirculating the liquor to the or each reaction vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for recovering copper and other metal values from metal-containing materials using controlled, super-fine grinding and medium temperature pressure leaching. Processes embodying aspects of the present invention may be beneficial for recovering a variety of metals such as copper, gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, rhenium, zinc, uranium, and platinum group metals, from metal-bearing materials, and find particular utility in connection with the extraction of copper from copper sulfide ores and concentrates.

Abstract: There is provided a method for leach extraction of copper/iron/sulphur ores and concentrates including leaching the mineral with an aqueous stream containing ferric ions and sulphuric acid in the presence of oxygen, the aqueous stream including a solution formed by reaction of basic ferric sulphate with excess suphuric acid. Integrated methods of forming and releaching basic ferric sulphate are also described.

Abstract: A process for leaching a value metal from oxidic materials, such as a lateritic nickel ore, comprising the step of leaching the ore with a lixiviant comprising a cationic salt (e.g., magnesium chloride) and hydrochloric acid is disclosed. An oxidant or additional metal chloride (such as that which results from the leaching operation) may be added. In one embodiment, the process comprises recovery of a value metal from ore comprising the steps of: leaching the ore with a lixiviant; separating a value metal-rich leachate from the ore in a first solid-liquid separation; oxidizing and neutralizing the value metal-rich leachate so obtained; and separating a solution of magnesium chloride from the leachate so obtained in a second solid-liquid separation. In another embodiment, the lixiviant solution is regenerated from the solution of magnesium chloride. In a further embodiment, regeneration of the lixiviant solution includes a step of producing magnesium oxide from the solution of magnesium chloride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for simultaneous recovery of chromium and iron from Chromite Ore Processing Residue (COPR) and more particularly, the present invention relates to an economical and environment-friendly process for recovering chromium as a chromate salt and iron as an iron salt from non-leachable Chromite Ore Processing Residue and avoids landfilling of toxic metals.

Abstract: An apparatus and continuous process for the conversion of one solid iron compound to another solid iron compound in a heterogeneous suspension wherein the suspension is formed by dispersing a solid starting iron compound in a liquid that is continuously fed through one or more agitated conversion vessels under hydrothermal conditions and converted to a solid product iron compound having different physical, chemical, or structural properties from the solid starting iron compound.

Abstract: A method for purifying sludge suspected of containing heavy, toxic and/or precious metals in order to extract them, the sludge being suspended in an aqueous solution and together forming a mass to be treated. FeCl3 is mixed with the mass, until an acidic pH of the solution is obtained. (CO2H)2 and NH4Cl are then mixed with the mass until metal pro-chelates are formed. Mixed alkali sulfides are then mixed with the mass until a solution with a very basic pH is obtained, to form colloidal complex iron chelates, which trap the metals. The solution is neutralized by adding an acid, until alkaline-ferrous sulfides and hydroxides containing the metals are precipitated. The mass is then centrifuged to form from the mass a liquid phase and a solid phase, the solid phase containing the alkaline-ferrous sulfides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the hydrolytic precipitation of iron as jarosite from a sulphate-containing solution in connection with zinc recovery from zinc calcine. The recovey contains neutral leach, ferrite leach, zinc electrolysis and iron precipitation stages. The ferrite included in the calcine is leached with return acid of the electrolysis after which the iron present in ferrous form is neutralized and routed to an iron precipitation stage, where the iron is oxidised to the trivalent form using an oxygen-containing gas. Also present in the precipitation stage arc Na, K or NH4 ions and jarosite nuclei.

Abstract: A process for removing iron impurities from sand by treatment of an aqueous slurry of the sand with a chelating agent for iron cations.

Abstract: The levels of iron sulfide present in a conduit, such as a pipeline, are reduced by contacting the conduit, on an inner surface, with a composition obtained from an aqueous solution containing at least one compound of Formula (I) and at least one amine or corresponding ammonium derivative in the presence of a solvent, wherein X is an anion of valency n. Preferably, the pH of the solution is about 8. Alternatively, the method employs a composition comprising tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine (TRIS) and at least one amine or corresponding ammonium derivative. The amine preferably is ammonia or a primary alkylamine. The compositions readily complex and thereby dissolve deposits of iron(II) sulfide, removing them from the conduit.