AU2003265736B2 - Hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials - Google Patents
Hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2003265736B2 AU2003265736B2 AU2003265736A AU2003265736A AU2003265736B2 AU 2003265736 B2 AU2003265736 B2 AU 2003265736B2 AU 2003265736 A AU2003265736 A AU 2003265736A AU 2003265736 A AU2003265736 A AU 2003265736A AU 2003265736 B2 AU2003265736 B2 AU 2003265736B2
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- process according
- leach
- less
- manganese
- manganese dioxide
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Manganese Chemical compound [Mn] PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims description 29
- 239000011572 manganese Substances 0.000 title claims description 28
- 229910052748 manganese Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims description 25
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title claims description 15
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 title claims description 9
- NUJOXMJBOLGQSY-UHFFFAOYSA-N manganese dioxide Chemical compound O=[Mn]=O NUJOXMJBOLGQSY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 94
- RAHZWNYVWXNFOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulphur dioxide Chemical compound O=S=O RAHZWNYVWXNFOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 56
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 claims description 55
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 45
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims description 45
- 235000010269 sulphur dioxide Nutrition 0.000 claims description 28
- 239000004291 sulphur dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 28
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 26
- 229940075933 dithionate Drugs 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- SQQMAOCOWKFBNP-UHFFFAOYSA-L manganese(II) sulfate Chemical compound [Mn+2].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O SQQMAOCOWKFBNP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 235000007079 manganese sulphate Nutrition 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000011702 manganese sulphate Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 11
- CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fe2+ Chemical compound [Fe+2] CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000005363 electrowinning Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000003929 acidic solution Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004090 dissolution Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Sulfate Chemical compound [O-]S([O-])(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000033116 oxidation-reduction process Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910021653 sulphate ion Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 235000011149 sulphuric acid Nutrition 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000001117 sulphuric acid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000002386 leaching Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 3
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000005864 Sulphur Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910001385 heavy metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-L sulfite Chemical compound [O-]S([O-])=O LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 230000008719 thickening Effects 0.000 description 2
- VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L Calcium carbonate Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-]C([O-])=O VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 1
- RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dihydrogen sulfide Chemical compound S RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910001021 Ferroalloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910000616 Ferromanganese Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 description 1
- ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Molybdenum Chemical compound [Mo] ZOKXTWBITQBERF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Potassium Chemical compound [K] ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910021607 Silver chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000003723 Smelting Methods 0.000 description 1
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BPKGOZPBGXJDEP-UHFFFAOYSA-N [C].[Zn] Chemical compound [C].[Zn] BPKGOZPBGXJDEP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010941 cobalt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910017052 cobalt Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N cobalt atom Chemical compound [Co] GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- RMGVZKRVHHSUIM-UHFFFAOYSA-N dithionic acid Chemical compound OS(=O)(=O)S(O)(=O)=O RMGVZKRVHHSUIM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000007717 exclusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003517 fume Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005431 greenhouse gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000036541 health Effects 0.000 description 1
- DALUDRGQOYMVLD-UHFFFAOYSA-N iron manganese Chemical compound [Mn].[Fe] DALUDRGQOYMVLD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000012633 leachable Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- OKVGBKABWITJQA-UHFFFAOYSA-L manganese dithionate Chemical compound [Mn+2].[O-]S(=O)(=O)S([O-])(=O)=O OKVGBKABWITJQA-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L manganese(2+);methyl n-[[2-(methoxycarbonylcarbamothioylamino)phenyl]carbamothioyl]carbamate;n-[2-(sulfidocarbothioylamino)ethyl]carbamodithioate Chemical compound [Mn+2].[S-]C(=S)NCCNC([S-])=S.COC(=O)NC(=S)NC1=CC=CC=C1NC(=S)NC(=O)OC WPBNNNQJVZRUHP-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 229910000357 manganese(II) sulfate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052750 molybdenum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011733 molybdenum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052700 potassium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011591 potassium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011085 pressure filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000003254 radicals Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011946 reduction process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012958 reprocessing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- HKZLPVFGJNLROG-UHFFFAOYSA-M silver monochloride Chemical compound [Cl-].[Ag+] HKZLPVFGJNLROG-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000004763 sulfides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002912 waste gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
- Y02P10/20—Recycling
Landscapes
- Electrolytic Production Of Metals (AREA)
- Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
Description
WO 2004/033738 PCT/AU2003/001295 "Hydrometallurgical Processing of Manganese Containing Materials" Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials. More particularly, the process of the present invention is intended to allow efficient hydrometallurgical processing of low-grade manganese dioxide feedstock to produce manganese products, including electrolytic manganese dioxide.
Background Art It is generally known that manganese may be leached from manganese dioxide containing ores using sulphur dioxide. However, the sulphur dioxide leaching of manganese dioxide containing materials is also known to produce by-product dithionate ion levels of >5g/l. These levels may be far higher depending upon the amount of manganese being leached. For example, levels of about 20g/l are not uncommon. Interestingly, it is reported in Cotton and Wilkinson, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, 3rd Edition at page 452, that "the method for production of dithionate or dithionic acid is the reaction between sulphur dioxide or sulphite with manganese dioxide in the presence of acid".
Low grade manganese dioxide feedstock Mn) are presently uneconomic to process using conventional roast-reduction and sulphuric acid leaching to produce manganese sulphate. High grade ores Mn) are needed to justify the economics of the roast reduction process. Presently, all leaching of manganese dioxide containing materials using sulphur dioxide leads to the formation of >5g/l levels of dithionate ions in solution. With dithionate ion levels of this magnitude it is generally necessary to incorporate into any flow sheet a high capital cost stage, being "oxidation" or "aging". The long residence times required to "oxidise" the dithionate ion from the >5g/l levels down to lower than 1g/l are highly capital intensive.
WO 2004/033738 PCT/AU2003/001295 -2- Failure to control dithionate levels in the production of a manganese sulphate crystal product has previously led to the manganese dithionate contaminant in that product slowly reacting to release sulphur dioxide gas.
It would prove advantageous to provide a process whereby low-grade manganese dioxide containing materials or feedstock could provide manganese sulphate leach solutions with a level of dithionate ion less than about 5g/l, and preferably less than 1g/l.
The ability to recover manganese dioxide from low-grade feedstocks will avoid or at least reduce the need for further manganese ore mining and land disturbance, bringing various environmental benefits. For example, the utilisation of manganese tailings allows for conservation of existing resources.
Further, the use of a hydrometallurgical route for the reduction of Mn(IV) negates the need for the use of gas fired kilns or fluid bed reactors, feed stocks no longer need to be heated to about 1000°C and then cooled prior to leaching, and there is lesser need for carbon input, which in turn results in lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Still further, the use of the relatively easily controlled hydrometallurgical route allows monitoring of the solution potential of the leach solution or slurry thereby indicating complete dissolution of Mn(IV). The use of the sulphur dioxide leach provides complete conversion of Mn(IV) to Mn(ll), thereby avoiding the production of leachable manganese species in solid residues.
In particular, if it is desired to produce electrolytic manganese dioxide solutions containing elevated dithionate ion levels result in chemical reactions occurring that effect the quality and purity of the EMD produced in the electrowinning cells. Also, hydrogen sulphide is evolved, bringing with it certain occupational health and environmental issues.
The preceding discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the WO 2004/033738 PCT/AU2003/001295 -3discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of the application.
Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
Disclosure of the Invention In accordance with the present invention there is provided a process for the hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials, the process characterised by the combination of a manganese dioxide containing feedstock and an acidic solution to form a leach solution, and passing a volume of sulphur dioxide gas through that leach solution, whereby the levels of dithionate ion generated in the leach solution are less than about Preferably, the levels of dithionate ion generated in the leach solution are less than about 1g/l.
Still preferably, the pH of the leach solution is maintained at less than about In one form of the invention the leach solution comprises a slurry of manganese dioxide containing material at a slurry density of less than about 10%w/v, less than about 120g/l manganese sulphate, a temperature of greater than about and at a pH of less than about In another form of the invention the manganese dioxide containing feedstock contains less than about 40% manganese.
Preferably, the leach solution has an initial soluble iron concentration of greater than 4g/l. The iron is preferably in the form of ferric sulphate (Fe 2 (S0 4 3 The WO 2004/033738 PCT/AU20031001295 -4ferrous concentration is preferably maintained at a level below about 0.5g/I by providing an excess or residual amount of manganese dioxide in the slurry.
The ratio of ferric to ferrous may be monitored throughout the leach to ensure an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) of 550mV, or above (vs Ag/AgCI reference electrode).
The sulphur dioxide gas is preferably passed through the leach solution over a period of at least 10 hours whereby up to about 95% of manganese dioxide is dissolved. Preferably, the leach is conducted over a period of between about to 15 hours.
Preferably, once a stoichiometric amount of sulphur dioxide has been added to the leach solution to achieve a 95% dissolution of the manganese dioxide present, the reaction is halted.
In accordance with present invention there is further provided a process for the production of electrolytic manganese dioxide, the process characterised by a leach of a manganese dioxide containing feedstock in acidic solution, through which a volume of sulphur dioxide gas is passed, and in which dithionate ion levels are maintained at less than about 5g/l, the resulting leach solution being processed to provide an appropriate electrolyte that is passed to an electrowinning stage during which electrolytic manganese dioxide is deposited.
Preferably, the levels of dithidnate ion generated in the leach solution are less than about lg/l.
Still preferably, the pH of the leach solution is maintained at less than about In one form of the invention the leach solution comprises a slurry of manganese dioxide containing material at a slurry density of less than about 10%w/v, less than about 120g/l manganese sulphate, a temperature of greater than about and at a pH of less than about WO 2004/033738 PCT/AU2003/001295 In another form of the invention the manganese dioxide containing feedstock contains less than 40% manganese.
Preferably, the leach solution has an initial soluble iron concentration of greater than 4g/l. The iron is preferably in the form of ferric sulphate (Fe 2 (SO4) 3 The ferrous concentration is preferably maintained at a level below about 0.5g/l by providing an excess or residual amount of manganese dioxide in the slurry.
The ratio of ferric to ferrous may be monitored throughout the leach to ensure an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) of 550mV, or above (vs Ag/AgCl reference electrode).
The sulphur dioxide gas is preferably passed through the leach solution over a period of at least 10 hours whereby up to about 95% of manganese dioxide is dissolved. Preferably, the leach is conducted over a period of between about to 15 hours.
Preferably, once a stoichiometric amount of sulphur dioxide has been added to the leach solution to achieve a 95% dissolution of the manganese dioxide present, the reaction is halted.
Preferably, the acidic solution used in the leach is at least in part comprised of return or spent sulphuric acid solution from the electrowinning stage. It may be necessary to add additional acid to the leach to ensure the pH remains less than about Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to one embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic flow chart of a process for the production of an electrolytic manganese dioxide product from a low grade manganese feedstock in accordance with the present invention; WO 2004/033738 PCT/AU2003/001295 -6- Figure 2 is a graphical representation of the percentage manganese "leached" relative to SO 2 addition and Eh during the leach conducted within the process of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a graphical representation of the percentage manganese "leached" over time and relative to SO 2 additional during the leach of Figure 2.
Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention In Figure 1 there is shown a process 10 for the production of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) product in accordance with the present invention. A manganese dioxide ore feedstock 12, containing about 34% manganese, is initially milled in a wet ball mill 14 prior to the generated slurry being passed to a leach 16 conducted in at least one agitated reactor.
In addition to the milled feedstock slurry the leach 16 is fed with return sulphuric acid electrolyte 17 from an electrowinning stage 18 to form a leach solution. The leach solution has a volume of sulphur dioxide gas 20 passed therethrough, the sulphur dioxide gas 20 being formed through a sulphur burning step 22, in which sulphur is burnt in oxygen to generate sulphur dioxide.
The slurry density of the feedstock fed from the mill 14 is less than 10% w/v. The slurry is both heated and agitated, as the leach solution, once within the or each reactor 16. The concentration of manganese sulphate (MnSO4) in the leach solution is <120g/l whilst the temperature of the leach solution is >95°C. The leach solution is maintained at a pH of less than about The leach solution within the leach 16 has an initial soluble iron concentration of >4g/l. The iron is in the form of ferric sulphate (Fe 2 (S0 4 3 The ferrous concentration is maintained at less than 0.5g/l by ensuring there is always an excess or residual amount of manganese dioxide in the leach.
WO 2004/033738 PCT/AU2003/001295 -7- The leach is conducted over a period of 10 to 15 hours by passing a volume of sulphur dioxide gas through the leach solution. The rate at which the sulphur dioxide is passed through the leach solution is governed by the requirement that up to 95% of the manganese dioxide in the slurry fed to the leach 16 is dissolved/solubilized over the period of 10 to 15 hours. It is envisaged that longer time periods may be utilised.
The ratio of ferric to ferrous in the leach 16 is monitored by an Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) probe. A minimum value of 550mV is required (vs Ag/AgCI reference electrode). If the ORP value falls below 550mV more feedstock slurry is added to the leach 16.
It is believed that the predominant leaching reaction proceeds as follows: MnO 2 S0 2 MnSO 4 However, it is understood that whilst the process of the present invention ensures that the production of manganese sulphate is the predominant reaction, a trace of dithionate is still generated. The production of dithionate is believed to proceed as a free radical combination reaction as follows:
SO
3 S0 3 S2062- High pH values favour the production of dithionate. As such, the pH of the leach 16 is maintained at less than about 1.5, as noted hereinabove.
Once a stoichiometric quantity of sulphur dioxide 20 has been fed through the leach solution, whereby a maximum of 95% of the manganese dioxide present is dissolved/solubilized, the reaction is halted by withdrawing the sulphur dioxide feed to the leach 16. The stoichiometric addition of SO 2 is represented graphically in Figure 2 relative to the manganese leached and the Eh, showing that the Eh or solution potential provides an accurate indication of completion of the manganese (IV) dissolution reaction, whilst Figure 3 demonstrates the effect of sulphur dioxide addition on the manganese leached overtime.
WO 2004/033738 PCT/AU2003/001295 -8- It is envisaged that the sulphur dioxide 20 might also be provided as a waste gas from a smelting or an industrial process. Further, the sulphur dioxide might be added to the leach, solution as a sulphite solution (SO 3 2 The remainder of the process 10 for the production of EMD involves the passing of pregnant leach solution to a jarositing step 22 to reduce potassium and sodium levels as desired. A goethiting step 24 is then used to reduce iron levels to sub-ppm levels through the addition of ground limestone. A solid/liquid separation step is then used, involving both thickening 26 and filtration 28.
Solids from the filtration 28 are washed to reclaim any residual manganese sulphate solution, this being fed back to the leach 16 to make up any volume lost from the return electrolyte 17 to a manganese sulphate bleed stream 30. This bleed stream 30 allows manganese sulphate to be concurrently produced for use in fertilisers, for example.
Overflow from the thickening 26 is passed to a sulphiding step 32 for the removal of heavy metals, including nickel, cobalt and molybdenum. Following the sulphiding step 32 the heavy metal sulphides are removed by pressure filtration 34 and the electrolyte from the electrowinning step 18 held in storage tanks 36.
The electrowinning step 18 then proceeds utilising submerged titanium anodes, tubular copper cathodes and a totally wax free environment. Fully laden anodes are harvested on a two-weekly cycle with resulting EMD chip being passed to produce processing and packaging operations.
It is envisaged that the process of the present invention, specifically as it resides in the leaching of manganese containing feedstocks to produce leach solutions with dithionate ion levels of less than 5g/l, and preferably less than 1g/l, may by applied to the processing of all types of manganese dioxide containing ores (including both high and low grade), mine tailings, fines, fumes and tailings of manganese ferro-alloy production facilities, ocean floor manganese nodules, ferromanganese nodules, wastes from zinc refinery cells and manganese dioxide contained in used or partially used alkaline or carbon zinc batteries. The (each WO 2004/033738 PCT/AU2003/001295 -9solutions generated by reprocessing such materials in accordance with the present invention can then be purified and used in the production of EMD, EMM and other manganese chemical products.
Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.
Claims (23)
1. A process for the hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials, the process characterised by the combination of a manganese dioxide containing feedstock and an acidic solution to form a leach solution, and passing a volume of sulphur dioxide gas through that leach solution, whereby the levels of dithionate ion generated in the leach solution are less than about
2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the levels of dithionate ion generated in the leach solution are less than about ig/.
3. A process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pH of the leach solution is maintained at less than about
4. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leach solution comprises a slurry of manganese dioxide containing material at a slurry density of less than about 10%w/v, less than about 120g/l manganese sulphate, a temperature of greater than about and at a pH of less than about A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the manganese dioxide containing feedstock contains less than about manganese.
6. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leach solution has an initial, soluble iron concentration of greater than 4g/l.
7. A process according to claim 6, wherein the iron is in the form of ferric sulphate (Fez(SO 4 3
8. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ferrous concentration is maintained at a level below about 0.5g/l by WO 2004/033738 PCT/AU2003/001295 -11 providing an excess or residual amount of manganese dioxide in the slurry.
9. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio of ferric to ferrous is monitored at least at intervals throughout the leach to ensure an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) of 550mV, or above (vs Ag/AgCI reference electrode). process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sulphur dioxide gas is preferably passed through the leach solution over a period of at least 10 hours whereby up to about 95% of manganese dioxide is dissolved.
11.A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leach is conducted over a period of between about 10 to 15 hours.
12.A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein once a stoichiometric amount of sulphur dioxide has been added to the leach solution to achieve a 95% dissolution of the manganese dioxide present, the reaction is halted.
13.A process for the production of electrolytic manganese dioxide, the process characterised by a leach of a manganese dioxide containing feedstock in acidic solution, through which a volume of sulphur dioxide gas is passed, and in which dithionate ion levels are maintained at less than about 5g/l, the resulting leach solution being processed to provide an appropriate electrolyte that is passed to an electrowinning stage during which electrolytic manganese dioxide is deposited.
14.A process according to claim 13, wherein the levels of dithionate ion generated in the leach solution are less than about 1g/l. process according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the pH of the leach solution is maintained at less than about WO 2004/033738 PCT/AU2003/001295 -12-
16.A process according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the leach solution comprises a slurry of manganese dioxide containing material at a slurry density of less than about 10%w/v, less than about 120g/l manganese sulphate, a temperature of greater than about 95°C, and at a pH of less than about
17.A process according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the manganese dioxide containing feedstock contains less than manganese.
18.A process according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the leach solution has an initial soluble iron concentration of greater than 4g/l.
19.A process according to claim 18, wherein the iron is in the form of ferric sulphate (Fe 2 (S0 4 3 process according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the ferrous concentration is maintained at a level below about 0.5g/l by providing an excess or residual amount of manganese dioxide in the slurry.
21.A process according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the ratio of ferric to ferrous is monitored throughout the leach to ensure an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) of 550mV, or above (vs Ag/AgCI reference electrode).
22.A process according to any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein the sulphur dioxide gas is passed through the leach solution over a period of at least hours whereby up to about 95% of manganese dioxide is dissolved.
23.A process according to any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the leach is conducted over a period of between about 10 to 15 hours.
24.A process according to any one of claims 13 to 23, wherein once a stoichiometric amount of sulphur dioxide has been added to the leach WO 2004/033738 PCT/AU2003/001295 -13- solution to achieve a 95% dissolution of the manganese dioxide present, the reaction is halted. process according to any one of claims 13 to 24, wherein the acidic solution used in the leach is at least in part comprised of return or spent sulphuric acid solution from the electrowinning stage.
26. A process according to any one of claims 13 to 25, wherein additional acid is added to the leach to ensure the pH remains less than about
27.A process for the hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials, the process substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.
28.A process for the production of electrolytic manganese dioxide, the process substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2003265736A AU2003265736B2 (en) | 2002-10-10 | 2003-10-01 | Hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2002952042A AU2002952042A0 (en) | 2002-10-10 | 2002-10-10 | Hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials |
| AU2002952042 | 2002-10-10 | ||
| AU2003265736A AU2003265736B2 (en) | 2002-10-10 | 2003-10-01 | Hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials |
| PCT/AU2003/001295 WO2004033738A1 (en) | 2002-10-10 | 2003-10-01 | Hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2003265736A1 AU2003265736A1 (en) | 2004-05-04 |
| AU2003265736B2 true AU2003265736B2 (en) | 2005-09-29 |
Family
ID=34314410
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2003265736A Expired AU2003265736B2 (en) | 2002-10-10 | 2003-10-01 | Hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2003265736B2 (en) |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3211658A1 (en) * | 1982-03-30 | 1983-10-06 | Grillo Werke Ag | METHOD FOR DIGESTING MANGANESE BY MEANS OF SULFUR DIOXIDE |
| WO1998014623A1 (en) * | 1996-10-02 | 1998-04-09 | International Curator Resources Limited | Hydrometallurgical extraction of copper, zinc and cobalt from ores containing manganese dioxide |
-
2003
- 2003-10-01 AU AU2003265736A patent/AU2003265736B2/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3211658A1 (en) * | 1982-03-30 | 1983-10-06 | Grillo Werke Ag | METHOD FOR DIGESTING MANGANESE BY MEANS OF SULFUR DIOXIDE |
| WO1998014623A1 (en) * | 1996-10-02 | 1998-04-09 | International Curator Resources Limited | Hydrometallurgical extraction of copper, zinc and cobalt from ores containing manganese dioxide |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2003265736A1 (en) | 2004-05-04 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US7951282B2 (en) | Hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials | |
| Jha et al. | Review of hydrometallurgical recovery of zinc from industrial wastes | |
| Antuñano et al. | Hydrometallurgical processes for Waelz oxide valorisation–An overview | |
| JP6070898B2 (en) | Method and facility for recovering valuable components from waste dry batteries | |
| Agrawal et al. | Problems, prospects and current trends of copper recycling in India: An overview | |
| Antuñano et al. | Fluoride removal from Double Leached Waelz Oxide leach solutions as alternative feeds to Zinc Calcine leaching liquors in the electrolytic zinc production process | |
| EP2683840B1 (en) | Gold and silver extraction technology | |
| WO2015192234A1 (en) | Recovery of zinc and manganese from pyrometallurgy sludge or residues | |
| AU783816B2 (en) | Heap bioleaching process for the extraction of zinc | |
| CA2162820A1 (en) | Recovery of manganese from leach solutions | |
| US7455715B2 (en) | Heap bioleaching process for the extraction of zinc | |
| WO2005012582A1 (en) | Improved hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials | |
| JP2008240009A (en) | Nickel sulfide chlorine leaching method | |
| AU2014326871B2 (en) | Process for the selective recovery of lead and silver | |
| EP2902510A1 (en) | A new method for leaching of electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) with sulphuric acid | |
| CN109881022A (en) | A method of the whole process green circulatory of lean solution containing cyanogen utilizes | |
| CN1058056C (en) | Process of chlorine complexing oxidation method for slective leaching nickel cobalt copper sulfurized ore | |
| AU2003265736B2 (en) | Hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials | |
| EA009503B1 (en) | Method for processing concentrates from coppersulfide-based ores | |
| Raghavan et al. | Innovative hydrometallurgical processing technique for industrial zinc and manganese process residues | |
| AU2004260809B2 (en) | Improved hydrometallurgical processing of manganese containing materials | |
| CN102206760A (en) | Method for haydrometallurgy of zinc | |
| Ntunka et al. | Sustainable production of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) | |
| Sammut et al. | The Intec copper process: a detailed environmental analysis | |
| WO2004081242A1 (en) | Recovery of metals from industrial dusts |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) | ||
| HB | Alteration of name in register |
Owner name: MESA MINERALS LIMITED Free format text: FORMER NAME(S): HITEC ENERGY LIMITED |
|
| PC | Assignment registered |
Owner name: AUVEX RESOURCES PTY LTD Free format text: FORMER OWNER(S): MESA MINERALS LIMITED |
|
| MK14 | Patent ceased section 143(a) (annual fees not paid) or expired |