Process for Metal Seperation Using Resin-in-Pulp or Resin-in-Solution Processes

A process for the treatment of solutions or slurries containing dissolved metals comprising the steps of:

• a) contacting the solution or slurry with an ion exchange resin that selectively removes one or more dissolved metals from the solution or slurry, said contacting comprising introducing the solution or slurry and the resin into a vessel or column, wherein the resin is introduced into the vessel or column via sub-surface means,
• b) separating loaded resin from the solution or slurry;
• c) eluting the one or more metals from the loaded resin with an eluting agent;
• d) separating the eluting solution containing eluted metal ions from the resin;
• and
• e) transferring regenerated resin from step (d) back to step (a).