METHOD FOR SOLUBILIZING METAL VALUES FROM Ta-Nb-ORE MATERIALS CONTAINING INSOLUBLE FLUORIDES

摘要

The processes of the present invention include mineral acid leaching of a metal-containing material, such as an ore residue, containing fluoridated metal values in the presence of a complexing agent which will complex fluoride ions. The processes of the present invention provide for the separation of valuable metal, fluoride and radionuclide values from a feed material of high mineral content wherein the metals and radionuclides are present as substantially water insoluble fluorides or are trapped within a metal fluorine matrix which is substantially insoluble in typical chemical reactant systems.