NON-FERROUS AND RARE METALS EXTRACTION FROM CONCENTRATES AND SLAGS

Abstract

The technology of heap and underground leaching of
copper ores was developed and introduced. The kinetic
studies of copper and zinc minerals dissolution preceded
the technology development. Operating conditions were
found and the intensification of mineral dissolution was
defined. The optimum conditions of leaching different
commercial-genetic types of ores were developed. Tens
of thousands tons of copper were produced in the periods
of test and commercialization.
The optimum conditions of vat and heap leaching oxidized nickel ore (ONO) were developed. The present
ONO shaft smelting is detrimental ecologically and economically ineffective. This leads to plants closure. The
solutions of 1-3 Ni; 0.2 Со; 20-40 Mg g/dm3 were produced by heap leaching. Both Nickel as a product of increased purity and concentrates of Mn and Mg were extracted from solutions.
The exploratory studies of ecologically clean technology
of Mo and Re extraction from sulfide concentrates were
performed. In the present technologies SO2 is gassed
during oxidized roasting, and Mo and Re are partially
lost with gases and solid residues after cinder leaching.
In the new technology the concentrate with CaO is
roasted. The cinder with CaSO4, CaMoO4, Ca(ReO4)2 is
produced without SO2 gassing and without Mo and Re
losses. Mo and Re are extracted selectively with an end
product in result.
Vanadium pentoxide of improved purity, useful for alloying of titanium alloys, is not produced in Russia. The technology of V2O5 and Mn3O4 produce from manganese vanadium slags is worked out. Slags are roasted with no addition of Ca and Na. The cinder contains Mn2V2O7, from
which vanadium is selectively recovered in soda solution,
and Mn is recovered in acid one. Vanadium pentoxide
containing 99.6-99.8 mass % of basic substance is obtained. Solid residues are smelted and complex ligature
is produced