Processes relating to the extraction of metals from laterites and ocean manganese nodules

A process for the extraction of ferrous, manganous and nonferrous metals from iron oxide and manganese oxide containing ores by reduction leaching comprising the steps of:

• contacting the pulverized ore with a stabilized acidic cuprous ion solution Cu.sup.+ L at a temperature of up to about 90.degree. C. while maintaining the pH between about 1.5 and 2.5 with acid to form a slurry, wherein L is a stabilizing ligand selected from the group consisting of CO, XRCN and Cl.sup.-, X being --H or --OH and R being aliphatic having from one to about four carbon atoms;
• separating said slurry into a solid tailings portion and a pregnant liquor, said pregnant liquor containing solubilized ferrous, manganous, cupric and other nonferrous metal ions;
• and
• selectively extracting said solubilized metal ions.

A process for the regeneration of stabilized cuprous ion solutions, usable as reductants, from acidic cupric ion solutions comprising the steps of:

• combining said solubilized cupric ions with CO as a stabilizing ligand and a quinolic compound selected from the group consisting of quinol, anthraquinols and naphthoquinols at a pressure of from about 0.1 to about 1.5 MPa and at a temperature of from about 20.degree. to 90.degree. C. to form an aqueous CuCO.sup.+ lixiviant and the corresponding quinonic compound;
• separating said lixiviant from said quinonic compound;
• and
• regenerating said quinolic compound from said quinonic.

A process for the regeneration of stabilized cuprous ion solutions, usable as reductants, from acidic cupric ion solutions comprising the steps of:

• dividing said cupric ion solution into first and second streams;
• combining said first stream with a quinolic compound selected from the group consisting of quinol and anthraquinols to form a three phase slurry consisting essentially of free copper metal, an aqueous acid phase and the corresponding quinonic compound;
• separating said quinonic compound from said copper metal and aqueous acid;
• and
• combining said second stream with said copper metal and aqueous acid and with a stabilizing ligand L, where L is CO or XRCN, whereby the stabilized cuprous ion solution, Cu.sup.+ L is formed.

A process for the extraction of ferrous, manganous and nonferrous metals from iron oxide and manganese oxide containing ores by reduction leaching comprising the steps of:

• contacting the pulverized ore with a stabilized acidic cuprous ion solution Cu.sup.+ L at a temperature of up to about 90.degree. C. while maintaining the pH between about 1.5 and 2.5 with acid to form a slurry, wherein L is a stabilizing ligand selected from the group consisting of CO, XRCN and Cl.sup.-, X being --H or --OH and R being aliphatic having from one to about four carbon atoms;
• separating said slurry into a solid tailings portion and a pregnant liquor, said pregnant liquor containing solubilized ferrous, manganous, cupric and other nonferrous metal ions;
• feeding said pregnant liquor to a second pulverized ore feed containing, at least partially, manganese oxide containing ore to form a second slurry;
• separating said second slurry into a solid tailings portion containing substantially unsolubilized iron oxide ore and a second pregnant liquor containing solubilized ferric, manganous, cupric and other nonferrous ions;
• and
• selectively extracting said solubilized metal ions.

A process for the selective extraction of manganous and nonferrous metals from iron oxide containing ores by reduction leaching comprising the steps of:

• contacting the pulverized ore with an acidic Fe.sup.2+ solution in a suitable reaction at a temperature of up to about 90.degree. C. while maintaining the pH between about 1.5 and 2.5 with acid to form a slurry;
• separating said slurry into a solid tailings portion and a pregnant liquor, said pregnant liquor containing solubilized ferric, manganous, cupric and other nonferrous metal ions;
• and
• selectively extracting said solubilized metal ions.