Methods for leaching of ores
AssigneeMBX Systems, Inc.
InventorsTom L. Young, Michael G. Greene, Dennis R. Rice, Kelly L. Karlage, Sean P. Premeau
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Abstract
Disclosed and claimed are efficient methods for leaching minerals from ores using an acidic solution such as sulfuric acid. Additional factors which can improve mineral recovery include the use of an alkali metal halide, grinding the ore, addition of a carbon source, and/or, adjustment of the temperature at which the process is carried out. Minerals such as titanium, iron, nickel, cobalt, silver and gold may be recovered by the methods of the present invention.
Claims111
A method for recovering titanium oxide from a titanium and iron-containing mineral feed, said method comprising:
- (a) solubilizing, at about atmospheric pressure, said titanium and said iron by leaching said mineral feed with an acidic solution comprising sulfuric acid at a concentration between about 20 grams/liter and 500 grams/liter;
- (b) selectively precipitating one or more titanium oxide;
- and
- (c) recovering said precipitated titanium oxide.
A method for recovering a transition metal other than titanium from a mineral feed bearing said transition metal, said method comprising:
- (a) solubilizing at about atmospheric pressure, said transition metal by leaching said mineral feed with an acid solution comprising sulfuric acid at a concentration between about 20 grams/liter and 500 grams/liter;
- (b) selectively precipitating one or more of said transition metal;
- and
- (c) recovering one or more of said transition metal, wherein said transition metal is selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel, molybdenum, lead, and gold.
A method for consecutive recovery of multiple transition metals from a mineral feed bearing said transition metals, said method comprising:
- (a) solubilizing a first transition metal by leaching said mineral feed with an acid solution, whereby said mineral feed becomes separated into said first transition metal and a feed residue, said feed residue bearing at least a second transition metal;
- (b) selectively precipitating said first transition metal;
- (c) solubilizing at least said second transition metal by leaching said feed residue with a second acid solution additionally comprising an alkali metal salt;
- and
- (d) selectively precipitating at least said second transition metal.
A method for recovering a transition metal other than titanium from a mineral feed bearing said transition metal, said method comprising:
- (a) solubilizing at about atmospheric pressure, said transition metal by leaching said mineral feed with an acid solution comprising sulfuric acid at a concentration between about 20 grams/liter and 500 grams/liter;
- (b) selectively precipitating one or more of said transition metal;
- and
- (c) recovering one or more of said transition metal;
- wherein said solubilization step is carried out in the presence of a source of carbon.
A method for recovering a transition metal other than titanium from a mineral feed bearing said transition metal, said method comprising:
- (a) solubilizing at about atmospheric pressure, said transition metal by leaching said mineral feed with an acid solution comprising sulfuric acid at a concentration between about 20 grams/liter and 500 grams/liter;
- (b), selectively precipitating one or more of said transition metal;
- and
- (c) recovering one or more of said transition metal, wherein said mineral feed comprises laterite.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.