Vladimiros G. Papangelakis

An overview of rare-earth recovery by ion-exchange leaching from ion-adsorption clays of various origins

Abstract Continuous development of advanced technologies has created increasing demand for rare-earth elements (REE), with global emphasis on identifying new alternate sources to ensure adequate supply. Ore deposits containing physically adsorbed lanthanides are substantially lower grade than other REE deposit types; however, the low mining and processing costs make them economically attractive as sources of REE. To evaluate the commercial potential for the recovery of REEs from ion-adsorption deposits in a systematic manner, a standardized procedure for REE leaching was developed previously. Using this procudure it was found that, regardless of variations in ore origin and REE content, all REE consistently reached peak extraction levels under ambient conditions with fast kinetics. Various techniques to improve the REE extraction through process variations were also investigated: it was found that decreasing the L:S ratio, re-using leachate on fresh ores and counter-current leaching were all capable of increasing REE concentrations in the resultant leachate, albeit at the expense of REE extraction levels. In addition, the water content trapped in the leached material was found to contain significant amounts of REE and residual lixiviant requiring thorough washing of the solid residue.

Co-treatment of converter slag and pyrrhotite tailings via high pressure oxidative leaching.

High pressure oxidative acid leaching (HPOXAL) was successfully applied to slow-cooled converter slags from Vales operations in Sudbury (Ontario, Canada). Extractions of Ni, Co and Cu exceeded 90% within 15-20 min and levelled at 95-97% after 45 min at 250°C, 90 psi O(2) overpressure and 70 g/L initial H(2)SO(4). Pyrrhotite tailings with ∼ 0.6% Ni content were also tested as a source of sulphuric acid in high pressure oxidation. Co-leaching of pyrrhotite tailings with converter slags at the same temperature, oxygen partial pressure and equivalent stoichiometric H(2)SO(4) was found to have kinetics similar to that of leaching with sulphuric acid. Lowering the addition of pyrrhotite tailings (and hence, the acidity) was found to have a detrimental effect on the kinetics of leaching and final extractions (especially at 250°C), and cause precipitation of metal sulphates. Continuous on-line acidity measurements were facilitated in experiments with an electrodeless conductivity sensor. It was shown that acid plays a major role in the conversion of fayalite to hematite and silica, and the dissolution of the base metals, while oxygen overpressure (or dispersion efficiency) determines the rate of acid generation and re-generation.

Development of a Chemical Model for the Solubility of Calcium Sulphate in Zinc Processing Solutions

Abstract A new model capable of predicting the solubility of calcium sulphate solid phases in zinc sulphate processing solutions from 25 to 95°C was developed. The model uses the Mixed Solvent Electrolyte (MSE) model of the OLI systems software to calculate the activity coefficients of the electrolyte species. The model was tested using recently developed experimental measurements. It was shown to accurately predict the solubility behaviour of calcium sulphate in multi-component zinc processing solutions containing ZnSO4, H2SO4, MgSO4, MnSO4, Fe2 (SO4)3, Na2SO4 and (NH4)2SO4. The model can also explain the complex effect of coexisting metal sulphates on the solubility of the CaSO4 phases. The model is a practical tool for assessing the process chemistry of a wide variety of complex aqueous processing streams.

Redox potential measurement during pressure oxidation (POX) of a refractory gold ore

ABSTRACT Pressure oxidation (POX) leaching has been commercially applied to refractory gold ores since the 1980s. In the process, sulphide material is oxidised and dissolved in order to release the gold encapsulated in the sulphide matrix, making the gold available for further recovery. Redox potential is a significant parameter during POX; however, it is measured ex situ only at atmospheric conditions. In situ redox potential measurement would provide instant information that allows adjusting the process parameters accordingly. In the present study, redox potential measurements were performed during POX of sulphide material at high temperatures and high pressures. The working electrode was an Ir electrode combined with a flow-through reference electrode in a novel and robust configuration. Experiments were performed in a 2 L titanium autoclave, at 200–220°C, 345–760 kPa oxygen overpressure, and 10–30% solids mass fraction. Temperature and oxygen pressure conditions were selected in order to reflect POX of refractory gold ores. Results show that the Ir electrode is consistent with theory and is able to perform well under these conditions, showing promise as a new in situ sensor.

Why amorphous FeO-SiO2 slags do not acid-leach at high temperatures.

It has been shown previously that amorphous FeO-SiO2 slags are not amenable to high pressure oxidative acid leaching - unlike their crystalline counterparts. Independent studies of glass and silicate mineral dissolution at ambient conditions suggest that acid attack can be hindered by the formation of a passive silica layer. The current work extends this finding to the case of high temperature dissolution of amorphous FeO-SiO2 slags by providing evidence for the formation of a passive silica layer within slag particles under high pressure oxidative acid leaching conditions (250°C, 70g/L initial H2SO4, 0.62MPa [90psi] O2). Based on the percolation model of glass dissolution, a mechanism of amorphous slag leaching is proposed.

Leaching characteristics of nickeliferous pyrrhotite tailings from the Sudbury, Ontario area

ABSTRACT Mineralogical characterisation showed the deportment of Ni to be similar in the Vale and Glencore tailings, with 60% of the total Ni locked in pyrrhotite, and the balance 40% associated with pentlandite. Nickel leaching was correlated with the dissolution extents of pyrrhotite and pentlandite as functions of four leaching regimes: ‘anoxic acid’ (with and without pH control), ‘oxic acid’ (oxygen sparging), ‘oxic acid’ (air sparging), and ‘oxic ferric’ (air sparging). The results showed that the maximum Ni dissolution was obtained during the pH controlled oxic acid leach with oxygen sparging at pH 1.5, while the anoxic acid leach at pH 1.5 resulted in minimum Ni dissolution (10–15%) from pyrrhotite. An overall Ni mass balance showed that pyrrhotite and pentlandite dissolve simultaneously in the presence of Fe(III) and oxygen, in contrast to the preferential dissolution of pyrrhotite in the absence of Fe(III). Elemental sulphur yield increased with increasing temperature, but no observable trend could be linked to ferric or ferrous ion concentration.