Electro-hydrometallurgical process for the extraction of base metals and iron

摘要

A HYDROMETALLURGICAL PROCESS FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC RECOVERY OF SELECTED BASE METALS (ESPECIALLY COPPER OR POSSIBLY NICKEL) FROM SULPHIDE ORE CONCENTRATES CONCURRENTLY WITH THE EXTRACTION OF METALLIC IRON IN A COMMERCIALLY USABLE FORM. The process involves dissolution and leaching of ore in acidified chloride anode solution from the electrolytic cells of a primary and secondary bank of electrolytic cells to obtain iron chloride and base metal chlorides and to reduce ferric and cupric ions (say) to their lowest valence state (e.g. ferrous, cuprous). The leaching solution is transported to and distributed equally among the cathode compartments of each bank of cells to set up a solution flow from each cathode to adjacent anode compartments. Elemental sulphur and insoluble residue resulting from the ore dissolution are extracted as is electrically reduced metallic copper. The copper is obtained from the cathode compartments of both primary and secondary banks of cells. Hydrogen gas evolved at the cathode compartment is used to reduce hydrated ferrous chloride, obtained from the cathode compartments of the secondary bank of electrolytic cells to metallic iron. The process operates continuously.