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Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy
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Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2019) | Viewed by 64875

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Komnitsas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mineral Resources Engineering, Technical University of Crete, 73100 Chania, Greece
Interests: mineral processing; grinding; hydrometallurgy; waste valorization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hydro- and biohydrometallurgical processes have been used for years to solve bottlenecks in the raw materials supply, and to provide environmental solutions for various industrial problems. This Special Issue aims to present recent technological advances and innovative solutions towards unlocking the use of potential raw materials—both primary and secondary—as potential metal resources. Emphasis is placed (among others) on the treatment of economically important deposits, refractory ores, low-grade polymetallic wastes, sludges (e.g., goethite, jarosite), slags, and electronic waste which are currently not yet being fully exploited due to technical problems. In addition, the extraction of critical elements and REEs through leaching or bio-leaching (including heap (bio)leaching studies) as well as the biodesulfurization of coals is of particular importance. Developmets on the recovery of metals from dilute and concentrated solutions should be highlighted. Studies on kinetics, process medeling, reactor design, and life cycle analysis are also welcome. The contribution of hydro- and biohydrometallurgy towards circular economy and the zero-waste approach should also be emphasized. Special attention is paid to the validation of hydro- and biohydrometallurgical systems. Socio-economic aspects related to all pertinent applications of hydro- and biohydrometallyrgy may also be addressed. Finally, contributions pertinent to advances in solvometallurgy are also well accepted.

Prof. Dr. Konstantinos Komnitsas
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hydro- and biohydrometallurgy
  • leaching
  • raw materials
  • residues
  • slags
  • critical elements
  • REEs
  • life cycle analysis

Published Papers (16 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 183 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial for Special Issue “Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy”
by Kostas A. Komnitsas
Minerals 2019, 9(7), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/min9070424 - 11 Jul 2019
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2382
Abstract
Securing reliable and continuous access to raw materials and extraction of metals are important priorities in almost all countries in order to meet industrial needs, enable high-tech applications, maintain quality of life, and guarantee millions of jobs [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

13 pages, 2261 KiB  
Article
Iron Control in Atmospheric Acid Laterite Leaching
by Ville Miettinen, Jarno Mäkinen, Eero Kolehmainen, Tero Kravtsov and Lotta Rintala
Minerals 2019, 9(7), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/min9070404 - 30 Jun 2019
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3875
Abstract
Iron control in the atmospheric acid leaching (AL) of nickel laterite was evaluated in this study. The aim was to decrease acid consumption and iron dissolution by iron precipitation during nickel leaching. The combined acid leaching and iron precipitation process involves direct acid [...] Read more.
Iron control in the atmospheric acid leaching (AL) of nickel laterite was evaluated in this study. The aim was to decrease acid consumption and iron dissolution by iron precipitation during nickel leaching. The combined acid leaching and iron precipitation process involves direct acid leaching of the limonite type of laterite followed by a simultaneous iron precipitation and nickel leaching step. Iron precipitation as jarosite is carried out by using nickel containing silicate laterite for neutralization. Acid is generated in the jarosite precipitation reaction, and it dissolves nickel and other metals like magnesium from the silicate laterite. Leaching tests were carried out using three laterite samples from the Agios Ioannis, Evia Island, and Kastoria mines in Greece. Relatively low acid consumption was achieved during the combined precipitation and acid leaching tests. The acid consumption was approximately 0.4 kg acid per kg laterite, whereas the acid consumption in direct acid leaching of the same laterite samples was approximately 0.6–0.8 kg acid per kg laterite. Iron dissolution was only 1.5–3% during the combined precipitation and acid leaching tests, whereas in direct acid leaching it was 15–30% with the Agios Ioannis and Evia Island samples and 80% with the Kastoria sample. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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11 pages, 1960 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Parameters for the Dissolution of Mn from Manganese Nodules with the Use of Tailings in An Acid Medium
by Norman Toro, Manuel Saldaña, Edelmira Gálvez, Manuel Cánovas, Emilio Trigueros, Jonathan Castillo and Pía C. Hernández
Minerals 2019, 9(7), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/min9070387 - 26 Jun 2019
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3044
Abstract
Manganese nodules are an attractive source of base metals and critical and rare elements and are required to meet a high demand of today’s industry. In previous studies, it has been shown that high concentrations of reducing agent (Fe) in the system are [...] Read more.
Manganese nodules are an attractive source of base metals and critical and rare elements and are required to meet a high demand of today’s industry. In previous studies, it has been shown that high concentrations of reducing agent (Fe) in the system are beneficial for the rapid extraction of manganese. However, it is necessary to optimize the operational parameters in order to maximize Mn recovery. In this study, a statistical analysis was carried out using factorial experimental design for the main parameters, including time, MnO2/Fe2O3 ratio, and H2SO4 concentration. After this, Mn recovery tests were carried out over time at different ratios of MnO2/Fe2O3 and H2SO4 concentrations, where the potential and pH of the system were measured. Finally, it is concluded that high concentrations of FeSO4 in the system allow operating in potential and pH ranges (−0.2 to 1.2 V and −1.8 to 0.1) that favor the formation of Fe2+ and Fe3+, which enable high extractions of Mn (73%) in short periods of time (5 to 20 min) operating with an optimum MnO2/Fe2O3 ratio of 1:3 and a concentration of 0.1 mol/L of H2SO4. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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11 pages, 2088 KiB  
Article
Sequential Bioleaching of Phosphorus and Uranium
by Jarno Mäkinen, Laura Wendling, Tiina Lavonen and Päivi Kinnunen
Minerals 2019, 9(6), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/min9060331 - 28 May 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3633
Abstract
Phosphorus and uranium are both vital elements for society. In recent decades, fears have arisen about the future availability of low-cost phosphorus and uranium. This has resulted in pressure to de-centralize production of both elements by utilizing lower-grade or complex deposits. The research [...] Read more.
Phosphorus and uranium are both vital elements for society. In recent decades, fears have arisen about the future availability of low-cost phosphorus and uranium. This has resulted in pressure to de-centralize production of both elements by utilizing lower-grade or complex deposits. The research presented here focused on phosphorus-containing apatite ores with uranium impurities; in order to separate uranium by selective and sequential bioleaching before phosphorus leaching. This would create an alternative process route for solvent-extraction, used to remove/recover uranium from the phosphorus acid product of apatite H2SO4 wet process. In this work, it was seen that the used fluorapatite ore required 24 h leaching at pH 1 by H2SO4 to result in 100% leaching yield for phosphorus. As this ore did not contain much uranium, an artificial fluorapatite-uranium ore was prepared by mixing standard uranium ore and fluorapatite. The research with this ore showed that 89% of uranium dissolved in 3 days at pH > 2 and leaching was improved by applying Fe3+ oxidant. In these conditions only 4% of phosphorus was leached. By prolonged (28 days) leaching 95% uranium yield was reached. According to the experiments, the iron in the uranium leach solution would be mainly Fe3+, which allows the use of H2O2 for uranium recovery and then direct use of spent leachate for another uranium leaching cycle. After the dissolution of uranium, 90% of phosphorus was dissolved by decreasing the pH to 1.3. This was done by bioleaching, by utilizing biogenic sulfur oxidation to sulfuric acid. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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12 pages, 3608 KiB  
Article
Leaching of White Metal in a NaCl-H2SO4 System under Environmental Conditions
by Jonathan Castillo, Rossana Sepúlveda, Giselle Araya, Danny Guzmán, Norman Toro, Kevin Pérez, Marcelo Rodríguez and Alessandro Navarra
Minerals 2019, 9(5), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/min9050319 - 24 May 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4267
Abstract
The effect of NaCl on the leaching of white metal from a Teniente Converter was investigated in NaCl-H2SO4 media under environmental conditions. The copper dissolution from white metal was studied using ferric ions in the range of 1–10 g/L, NaCl [...] Read more.
The effect of NaCl on the leaching of white metal from a Teniente Converter was investigated in NaCl-H2SO4 media under environmental conditions. The copper dissolution from white metal was studied using ferric ions in the range of 1–10 g/L, NaCl in the range of 30–210 g/L, and sulfuric acid in the range of 10–50 g/L. The test without NaCl produced a dissolution of 55%; through the addition of NaCl, the dissolution increased to nearly 90%. The effect of sulfuric acid on the copper dissolution was not significant in the studied range, as the excess sulfuric acid simply increased the iron precipitation. The positive effect of NaCl seems to be related to the action of chloro-complex oxidizing agents in relation to the Cu+2/Cu+ couple. A simplified two-stage mechanism is proposed for the leaching of white metal. In the first stage, the white metal produces covellite and Cu2+, and in the second stage it produces elemental sulfur and Cu2+. The first stage is very rapidly compared to the second stage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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12 pages, 1389 KiB  
Article
Laboratory Scale Investigations on Heap (Bio)leaching of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash
by Jarno Mäkinen, Marja Salo, Jaakko Soini and Päivi Kinnunen
Minerals 2019, 9(5), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/min9050290 - 11 May 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3591
Abstract
Municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI BA) is the main output of the municipal solid waste incineration process, both in mass and volume. It contains some heavy metals that possess market value, but may also limit the utilization of the material. This [...] Read more.
Municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI BA) is the main output of the municipal solid waste incineration process, both in mass and volume. It contains some heavy metals that possess market value, but may also limit the utilization of the material. This study illustrates a robust and simple heap leaching method for recovering zinc and copper from MSWI BA. Moreover, the effect of autotrophic and acidophilic bioleaching microorganisms in the system was studied. Leaching yields for zinc and copper varied between 18–53% and 6–44%, respectively. For intensified copper dissolution, aeration and possibly iron oxidizing bacteria caused clear benefits. The MSWI BA was challenging to treat. The main components, iron and aluminum, dissolved easily and unwantedly, decreasing the quality of pregnant leach solution. Moreover, the physical nature and the extreme heterogeneity of the material caused operative requirements for the heap leaching. Nevertheless, with optimized parameters, heap leaching may offer a proper solution for MSWI BA treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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13 pages, 4134 KiB  
Article
Leaching of Manganese from Marine Nodules at Room Temperature with the Use of Sulfuric Acid and the Addition of Tailings
by Norman Toro, Manuel Saldaña, Jonathan Castillo, Freddy Higuera and Roxana Acosta
Minerals 2019, 9(5), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/min9050289 - 11 May 2019
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4012
Abstract
Based on the results obtained from a previous study investigating the dissolution of Mn from marine nodules with the use of sulfuric acid and foundry slag, a second series of experiments was carried out using tailings produced from slag flotation. The proposed approach [...] Read more.
Based on the results obtained from a previous study investigating the dissolution of Mn from marine nodules with the use of sulfuric acid and foundry slag, a second series of experiments was carried out using tailings produced from slag flotation. The proposed approach takes advantage of the Fe present in magnetite contained in these tailings and is believed to be cost-efficient. The surface optimization methodology was used to evaluate the independent variables of time, particle size, and sulfuric acid concentration in the Mn solution. Other tests evaluated the effect of agitation speed and the MnO2/Fe2O3 ratio in an acid medium. The highest Mn extraction rate of 77% was obtained with an MnO2/Fe2O3 ratio of 1/2 concentration of 1 mol/L of H2SO4, particle size of −47 + 38 μm, and 40 min of leaching. It is concluded that higher rates of Mn extraction were obtained when tailings instead of slag were used, while future research needs to focus on determination of the optimum Fe2O3/MnO2 ratio to improve dissolution of Mn from marine nodules. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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12 pages, 1052 KiB  
Article
Consideration of Influential Factors on Bioleaching of Gold Ore Using Iodide-Oxidizing Bacteria
by San Yee Khaing, Yuichi Sugai, Kyuro Sasaki and Myo Min Tun
Minerals 2019, 9(5), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/min9050274 - 02 May 2019
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4027
Abstract
Iodide-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) oxidize iodide into iodine and triiodide which can be utilized for gold dissolution. IOB can be therefore useful for gold leaching. This study examined the impact of incubation conditions such as concentration of the nutrient and iodide, initial bacterial cell [...] Read more.
Iodide-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) oxidize iodide into iodine and triiodide which can be utilized for gold dissolution. IOB can be therefore useful for gold leaching. This study examined the impact of incubation conditions such as concentration of the nutrient and iodide, initial bacterial cell number, incubation temperature, and shaking condition on the performance of the gold dissolution through the experiments incubating IOB in the culture medium containing the marine broth, potassium iodide and gold ore. The minimum necessary concentration of marine broth and potassium iodide for the complete gold dissolution were determined to be 18.7 g/L and 10.9 g/L respectively. The initial bacterial cell number had no effect on gold dissolution when it was 1 × 104 cells/mL or higher. Gold leaching with IOB should be operated under a temperature range of 30–35 °C, which was the optimal temperature range for IOB. The bacterial growth rate under shaking conditions was three times faster than that under static conditions. Shaking incubation effectively shortened the contact time compared to the static incubation. According to the pH and redox potential of the culture solution, the stable gold complex in the culture solution of this study could be designated as gold (I) diiodide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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13 pages, 1032 KiB  
Article
Accelerating Copper Leaching from Sulfide Ores in Acid-Nitrate-Chloride Media Using Agglomeration and Curing as Pretreatment
by Pía C. Hernández, Junior Dupont, Osvaldo O. Herreros, Yecid P. Jimenez and Cynthia M. Torres
Minerals 2019, 9(4), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/min9040250 - 25 Apr 2019
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4824
Abstract
This work investigates the effect of an agglomeration and curing pretreatment on leaching of a copper sulfide ore, mainly chalcopyrite, using mini-columns in acid-nitrate-chloride media. Ten pretreatment tests were conducted to evaluate different variables, namely the addition of nitrate as NaNO3 (11.7 [...] Read more.
This work investigates the effect of an agglomeration and curing pretreatment on leaching of a copper sulfide ore, mainly chalcopyrite, using mini-columns in acid-nitrate-chloride media. Ten pretreatment tests were conducted to evaluate different variables, namely the addition of nitrate as NaNO3 (11.7 and 23.3 kg/ton), chloride as NaCl (2.1 and 19.8 kg/ton), curing time (20 and 30 days) and repose temperature (25 and 45 °C). The optimum copper extraction of 58.6% was achieved with the addition of 23.3 kg of NaNO3/ton, 19.8 kg of NaCl/ton, and after 30 days of curing at 45 °C. Under these pretreatment conditions, three samples of ore were leached in mini-columns. The studied parameters were temperature (25 and 45 °C) and chloride concentration (20 and 40 g/L). The optimum copper extraction of 63.9% was obtained in the mini-column leaching test at 25 °C, with the use of 20 g/L of chloride. A higher temperature (45 °C) and a higher chloride concentration (40 g/L) negatively affected the extraction. The pretreatment stage had favorable effects, in terms of accelerating copper dissolution and improving leaching of copper sulfide ore in acid-nitrate-chloride media. Waste salts from caliche industry and waste brine from reverse osmosis can be used for providing the nitrate and chloride media. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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14 pages, 6069 KiB  
Article
Corrosion Behavior of a Pyrite and Arsenopyrite Galvanic Pair in the Presence of Sulfuric Acid, Ferric Ions and HQ0211 Bacterial Strain
by Jia-Ning Xu, Wen-Ge Shi, Peng-Cheng Ma, Liang-Shan Lu, Gui-Min Chen and Hong-Ying Yang
Minerals 2019, 9(3), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/min9030169 - 09 Mar 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3241
Abstract
In this paper, the galvanic effect of pyrite and arsenopyrite during the leaching pretreatment of gold ores was determined with the use of electrochemical testing (open circuit potential, linear sweep voltammetry, Tafel, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)) and frontier orbit calculations. The results [...] Read more.
In this paper, the galvanic effect of pyrite and arsenopyrite during the leaching pretreatment of gold ores was determined with the use of electrochemical testing (open circuit potential, linear sweep voltammetry, Tafel, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)) and frontier orbit calculations. The results show that (i) the linear sweep voltammetry curve and Tafel curve of the galvanic pair are similar to those of arsenopyrite, (ii) the corrosion behavior of the galvanic pair is consistent with that of arsenopyrite, and (iii) the galvanic effect promotes the corrosion of arsenopyrite by simultaneously increasing the cathode and anode currents and reducing oxidation resistance. The frontier orbit calculation explains the principle of the galvanic effect of pyrite and arsenopyrite from the view of quantum mechanics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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9 pages, 1452 KiB  
Article
Bioreductive Dissolution as a Pretreatment for Recalcitrant Rare-Earth Phosphate Minerals Associated with Lateritic Ores
by Ivan Nancucheo, Guilherme Oliveira, Manoel Lopes and David Barrie Johnson
Minerals 2019, 9(3), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/min9030136 - 26 Feb 2019
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3117
Abstract
Recent research has demonstrated the applicability of a biotechnological approach for extracting base metals using acidophilic bacteria that catalyze the reductive dissolution of ferric iron oxides from oxidized ores, using elemental sulfur as an electron donor. In Brazil, lateritic deposits are frequently associated [...] Read more.
Recent research has demonstrated the applicability of a biotechnological approach for extracting base metals using acidophilic bacteria that catalyze the reductive dissolution of ferric iron oxides from oxidized ores, using elemental sulfur as an electron donor. In Brazil, lateritic deposits are frequently associated with phosphate minerals such as monazite, which is one of the most abundant rare-earth phosphate minerals. Given the fact that monazite is highly refractory, rare earth elements (REE) extraction is very difficult to achieve and conventionally involves digesting with concentrated sodium hydroxide and/or sulfuric acid at high temperatures; therefore, it has not been considered as a potential resource. This study aimed to determine the effect of the bioreductive dissolution of ferric iron minerals associated with monazite using Acidithiobacillus (A.) species in pH- and temperature-controlled stirred reactors. Under aerobic conditions, using A. thiooxidans at extremely low pH greatly enhanced the solubilization of iron from ferric iron minerals, as well that of phosphate (about 35%), which can be used as an indicator of the dissolution of monazite. The results from this study have demonstrated the potential of using bioreductive mineral dissolution, which can be applied as pretreatment to remove coverings of ferric iron minerals in a process analogous to the bio-oxidation of refractory golds and expand the range of minerals that could be processed using this approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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21 pages, 6148 KiB  
Article
Counter-Current Leaching of Low-Grade Laterites with Hydrochloric Acid and Proposed Purification Options of Pregnant Solution
by Christiana Mystrioti, Nymphodora Papassiopi, Anthimos Xenidis and Konstantinos Komnitsas
Minerals 2018, 8(12), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8120599 - 18 Dec 2018
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5806
Abstract
A hydrochloric acid hydrometallurgical process was evaluated for Ni and Co extraction from a low-grade saprolitic laterite. The main characteristics of the process were (i) the application of a counter-current mode of operation as the main leaching step (CCL), and (ii) the treatment [...] Read more.
A hydrochloric acid hydrometallurgical process was evaluated for Ni and Co extraction from a low-grade saprolitic laterite. The main characteristics of the process were (i) the application of a counter-current mode of operation as the main leaching step (CCL), and (ii) the treatment of pregnant leach solution (PLS) with a series of simple precipitation steps. It was found that, during CCL, co-dissolution of Fe was maintained at very low levels, i.e., about 0.6%, which improved the effectiveness of the subsequent PLS purification step. The treatment of PLS involved an initial precipitation step for the removal of trivalent metals, Fe, Al, and Cr, using Mg(OH)2. The process steps that followed aimed at separating Ni and Co from Mn and the alkaline earths Mg and Ca, by a combination of repetitive oxidative precipitation and dissolution steps. Magnesium and calcium remained in the aqueous phase, Mn was removed as a solid residue of Mn(III)–Mn(IV) oxides, while Ni and Co were recovered as a separate aqueous stream. It was found that the overall Ni and Co recoveries were 40% and 38%, respectively. About 45% of Ni and 37% of Co remained in the leach residue, while 15% Ni and 20% Co were lost in the Mn oxides. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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13 pages, 3405 KiB  
Article
Initial Investigation into the Leaching of Manganese from Nodules at Room Temperature with the Use of Sulfuric Acid and the Addition of Foundry Slag—Part I
by Norman Toro, Nelson Herrera, Jonathan Castillo, Cynthia M. Torres and Rossana Sepúlveda
Minerals 2018, 8(12), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8120565 - 03 Dec 2018
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3408
Abstract
In this study, the surface optimization methodology was used to assess the effect of three independent variables—time, particle size and sulfuric acid concentration—on Mn extraction from marine nodules during leaching with H2SO4 in the presence of foundry slag. The effect [...] Read more.
In this study, the surface optimization methodology was used to assess the effect of three independent variables—time, particle size and sulfuric acid concentration—on Mn extraction from marine nodules during leaching with H2SO4 in the presence of foundry slag. The effect of the MnO2/Fe ratio and particle size (MnO2) was also investigated. The maximum Mn extraction rate was obtained when a MnO2 to Fe molar ratio of 0.5, 1 M of H2SO4, −320 + 400 Tyler mesh (−47 + 38 μm) nodule particle size and a leaching time of 30 min were used. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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14 pages, 2786 KiB  
Article
Column Leaching of Greek Low-Grade Limonitic Laterites
by Kostas Komnitsas, Evangelos Petrakis, Olga Pantelaki and Anna Kritikaki
Minerals 2018, 8(9), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8090377 - 31 Aug 2018
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3782
Abstract
In this study, column leaching experiments were carried out to investigate the extraction of Ni and Co from low-grade limonitic laterites from Agios Ioannis mines in central Greece. Tests were carried out in laboratory Plexiglas columns using H2SO4 as leaching [...] Read more.
In this study, column leaching experiments were carried out to investigate the extraction of Ni and Co from low-grade limonitic laterites from Agios Ioannis mines in central Greece. Tests were carried out in laboratory Plexiglas columns using H2SO4 as leaching solution. Parameters determining the efficiency of the process, i.e., acid concentration (0.5 M or 1.5 M) and addition of 20 or 30 g/L of sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) in the leaching solution, were also studied. Upflow transport of the leaching solution with the use of peristaltic pumps was carried out, while the pregnant leach solution (PLS) was recycled several times over the entire test duration. The concentration of Ni, Co, Fe, Ca, Al, Mg, and Mn in the PLS was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The ore and the leaching residues were characterized by different techniques, i.e., X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry (DSC/TG). The experimental results showed that (i) Ni and Co extractions increased with the increase of H2SO4 concentration—60.2% Ni and 59.0% Co extractions were obtained after 33 days of leaching with 1.5 M H2SO4; (ii) addition of 20 g/L Na2SO3 in the leaching solution resulted in higher extraction percentages for both metals (73.5% for Ni and 84.1% for Co, respectively), whereas further increase of Na2SO3 concentration to 30 g/L only marginally affected Ni and Co extractions; and (iii) when leaching was carried out with 1.5 M H2SO4 and 20 g/L Na2SO3, its selectivity was improved, as deduced from the ratios Ni/Mg, Ni/Ca and Ni/Al in the PLS; on the other hand, the ratio Ni/Fe dropped as a result of the higher Fe extraction compared with that of Ni. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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12 pages, 1068 KiB  
Article
Leaching of Primary Copper Sulfide Ore in Chloride-Ferrous Media
by Karina E. Salinas, Osvaldo Herreros and Cynthia M. Torres
Minerals 2018, 8(8), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8080312 - 25 Jul 2018
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5526
Abstract
Copper extraction from primary copper sulfide ore from a typical porphyry copper deposit from Antofagasta, Chile, was investigated after leaching with a chloride-ferrous media at two temperatures. The study focused on whether this chemical leaching system could be applied at an industrial scale. [...] Read more.
Copper extraction from primary copper sulfide ore from a typical porphyry copper deposit from Antofagasta, Chile, was investigated after leaching with a chloride-ferrous media at two temperatures. The study focused on whether this chemical leaching system could be applied at an industrial scale. Leaching tests were conducted in columns loaded with approximately 50 kg of agglomerated ore; the ore was first cured for 14 days and then leached for 90 days. The highest copper extraction, 50.23%, was achieved at 32.9 °C with the addition of 0.6 kg of H2SO4 per ton of ore, 0.525 kg of NaCl per ton of ore, and 0.5 kg of FeSO4 per ton of ore. In respect to copper extraction, the most effective variables were temperature and the addition of NaCl. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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16 pages, 3111 KiB  
Article
Leaching of Chalcopyrite in Acidified Nitrate Using Seawater-Based Media
by Pía C. Hernández, María E. Taboada, Osvaldo O. Herreros, Teófilo A. Graber and Yousef Ghorbani
Minerals 2018, 8(6), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8060238 - 01 Jun 2018
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 5277
Abstract
The leaching of copper from industrial copper ore with 4.8 wt % chalcopyrite by acidified nitrate with seawater based media was investigated. Water quality (pure water and seawater), temperature (25–70 °C), reagent concentration, and nitrate type (sodium and potassium) were studied variables. Leaching [...] Read more.
The leaching of copper from industrial copper ore with 4.8 wt % chalcopyrite by acidified nitrate with seawater based media was investigated. Water quality (pure water and seawater), temperature (25–70 °C), reagent concentration, and nitrate type (sodium and potassium) were studied variables. Leaching conditions were: 100 g ore/1 L solution; P80 of 62.5 µm; 400 rpm and leaching time, varying between 3 and 7 days. Nitrates in sulfuric acid are known to be good oxidants for sulfide ores. This study showed that up to 80 wt % copper could be extracted at 45 °C in 7 days. In the absence of nitrate, under the same leaching conditions, only a 28 wt % copper extraction was achievable. The extraction rate increased to 97.2 wt % when leach temperature was increased to 70 °C in nitrate-chloride-acid media. The presence of chloride ions also increased the copper extraction rate. The copper extraction achieved in seawater systems were higher than in water systems under the same leaching conditions (increased by an average of 18 wt %). This effect can be attributable to the contribution of chloride that increases proton (H+) activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydro- and Biohydrometallurgy)
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