摘要 |
PCT No. PCT/AU85/00230 Sec. 371 Date May 6, 1986 Sec. 102(e) Date May 6, 1986 PCT Filed Sep. 20, 1985 PCT Pub. No. WO86/02107 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 10, 1986.Recovering zinc from zinc bearing ore or concentrate (1) in an electrolic cell (3) which includes a cathode (5) containing cathode compartment (16) and an anode (4) containing anode compartment (2). The cathode and anode compartments are defined by interposing between such compartments an ion-selective membrane (6) capable of preventing migration of ionic copper from anode compartment (2) to cathode compartment (16). Process includes forming in anode compartment (2) a slurry of ore or concentrate (1) with a chloride and copper-ion containing solution, intimately mixing oxygen bearing gas (7) with the slurry, maintaining the mixture substantially at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature up to the boiling point of the solution, and maintaining the pH of the mixture from 1 to 4. The resultant solution is rich in solubilized zinc. At least a portion of the mixture is withdrawn and resultant solution (12) separated therefrom. Zinc bearing ore or concentrate (1) is contacted with solution (12) precipitating ionic copper therefrom. Resultant solution (15) is introduced to the cathode compartment (16) and zinc electrochemically recovered at the cathode (5). |