A method for recovering scandium from intermediate products formed in the hydrometallurgical processing of laterite ores

摘要

This invention provides a method for recovering scandium from scandium containing intermediate products, formed during hydrometallurgical processing of scandium-containing feed materials, comprising the following steps: (a) leaching of the scandium-containing intermediate products with a suitable acid at a controlled pH selected to maximize scandium extraction and minimize the co-extraction of impurities followed by (b) solid/liquid separation, to obtain a scandium-containing leach solution; (c) selective precipitation of the scandium at a controlled pH from the scandium containing leach solution using a suitable base, followed by (d) solid/liquid separation, to obtain an upgraded scandium concentrate and a barren solution for return to the hydrometallurgical process. A further upgraded scandium concentrate is obtained by (e) alkaline leaching of the upgraded scandium concentrate for additional removal of impurities, followed by (f) solid/liquid separation to obtain a further upgraded scandium concentrate and impurities-containing base solution.