UNDERWATER IRON-MANGANESE ORE PROCESSING METHOD Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: hydrometallurgy.

SUBSTANCE: method comprises grinding and leaching of nonferrous metals and manganese with sulfur dioxide in sulfuric acid solution followed by successive precipitation of (i) copper concentrate and nickel-cobalt concentrate from solutions by adding manganese metal and sulfur powders to solution and (ii) manganese concentrate with ammonia or ammonium carbonate aqueous solution. Copper concentrate is precipitated at copper-to-sulfur ratio 0.3-0.6, pH 2.5-1.0, and using treatment with sulfur dioxide-containing gas. For leaching of ore and precipitation of copper concentrate, the same elementary sulfur is used: converted into sulfur dioxide and as sulfidizer in copper precipitation operation.

EFFECT: reduced consumption of manganese metal and increased degree of recovery of nickel and cobalt into nickel-cobalt concentrate at lower content of the latter in copper concentrate.

1 dwg, 1 tbl