METHOD FOR PROCESSING COMPLEX ORE CONTAINING NIOBIUM AND RARE EARTH ELEMENTS AS MAIN COMPONENTS Russian patent published in 2022 - IPC B01D11/00 C22B3/06 C22B3/26 

FIELD: metllurgy.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the technology of hydrometallurgical processing of complex ores containing rare earth elements (REE) and niobium as main commercial components. The method includes reducing the ore size by ore preparation methods, treating the ore with a solution of sodium hydroxide producing a hydroxide cake, treating the cake with a solution of mineral acid producing a solution of rare earth elements and a niobium-containing cake, processing the niobium-containing cake producing niobium pentoxide, purifying the solution of rare earth elements from impurities and transferring the rare earth elements for subsequent separation. Niobium is therein extracted from the cake into the solution by treating the niobium-containing cake with an acidic fluorine ion-containing solution. Niobium is then extracted from the solution producing a re-extract in the form of an aqueous solution of fluorniobiic acid, followed by transfer thereof to niobium pentoxide. The solution of rare earth elements is then purified by treating the resulting solution with calcium carbonate and a sulphide-containing solution, depositing impurities and separating the deposition. The purified solution of rare earth elements is then treated with calcium hydroxide with deposition of a collective concentrate of rare earth elements, followed by dissolution thereof in a mineral acid and transfer of the solution for separation of rare earth elements.

EFFECT: ensuring a high degree of extraction of the target components into final products - niobium pentoxide and a REE solution, purified from impurities, while simultaneously simplifying and increasing the reliability of the technology of processing complex ore on an industrial scale, as well as in reducing the degree of harmful impact of the technology on the maintenance personnel and the environment.

19 cl, 1 dwg, 5 ex