Lithium extraction from hard rock lithium ores(spodumene,lepidolite,zinnwaldite,petalite):Technology,resources,environment and cost

Lithium production in China mainly depends on hard rock lithium ores,which has a defect in resources,environment,and economy compared with extracting lithium from brine.This paper focuses on the research progress of extracting lithium from spodumene,lepidolite,petalite,and zinnwaldite by acid,alkali,salt roasting,and chlorination methods,and analyzes the resource intensity,environmental impact,and production cost of industrial lithium extraction from spodumene and lepidolite.It is found that the sulfuric acid method has a high lithium recovery rate,but with a complicated process and high energy consumption;alkali and chlorination methods can directly react with lithium ores,reducing energy consumption,but need to optimize reaction conditions and safety of equipment and operation;the salt roasting method has large material flux and high energy consumption,so require adjustment of sulfate ratio to increase the lithium yield and reduce production cost.Compared with extracting lithium from brine,extracting lithium from ores,calcination,roasting,purity,and other processes consume more resources and energy;and its environmental impact mainly comes from the pollutants discharged by fossil energy,9.3-60.4 times that of lithium extracted from brine.The processing cost of lithium extraction from lepidolite by sulfate roasting method is higher than that from spodumene by sulfuric acid due to the consumption of high-value sulfate.However,the production costs of both are mainly affected by the price of lithium ores,which is less competitive than that of extracting lithium from brine.Thus,the process of extracting lithium from ores should develop appropriate technology,shorten the process flow,save resources and energy,and increase the recovery rate of related elements to reduce environmental impact and improve the added value of by-products and the economy of the process.

Effect of surfactant addition on leaching process of weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores with magnesium sulfate

Surfactants were proposed to be added into magnesium sulfate solution to improve the leaching process of weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores(WREOs).Effects of surfactants and their concentration on the seepage of leaching solutions and the leaching efficiency of rare earth(RE)and aluminum(Al)were investigated,and the leaching kinetics,the mass transfer process,the adhesion work and the adhesion work reduction factor were analyzed to reveal its strengthening leaching mechanism.The results show that cetyltrimethylammonium bromide(CTAB)has a better strengthening effect on the leaching process than dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide(DTAB),sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS),sodium oleate and oleic acid.In the presence of 0.04%CTAB in 0.2 mol/L solution,the permeability coefficient of WREOs increases from 0.945×10^(-5)to 1.640×10^(-5)cm·s^(-1),and the leaching efficiency of RE increases from 80%to 90%,confirming the promotion of surfactants on the leaching process of WREOs.Kinetic analysis shows that the leaching process conforms to the inner diffusion control model,and the leaching kinetics equations of RE and Al related to CTAB content are obtained.Mass transfer discussion shows a smaller height equivalent to theoretical plate(HETP)of RE and Al at CTAB content of 0.04%,suggesting the higher mass transfer efficiency here.According to the interfacial properties of leaching solutions,the calculated adhesion work and the adhesion work reduction factor further demonstrate the strengthening leaching effect of CTAB on the leaching process of WREOs.

Effect of particle gradation on pore structure and seepage law of solution in weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores

Both CT and Avizo software were used to explore the effect of particle gradation on the evolution characteristics of pore structure and seepage paths in weathered crust elution-deposited rare earth ores during leaching.The results showed that the pore areas in four kinds of ore samples before leaching were mainly concentrated in 10^(4)–10^(7)μm^(2),whose pore quantities accounted for 96.89%,94.94%,90.48%,and 89.45%,respectively,while the corresponding pore volume only accounted for 30.74%,14.55%,7.58%,and 2.84%of the total pore volume.With the decrease of fractal dimension,the average pore throat length increased,but pore throat quantities,the average pore throat radius and coordination number decreased.Compared with that before leaching,the change degree of pore structure during leaching increased with the fractal dimension decreasing.For example,the reduction rate of the average coordination number of ore samples was 14.36%,21.30%,28.00%,and 32.90%,respectively.Seepage simulation results indicated that seepage paths were uniformly distributed before leaching while the streamline density and seepage velocity increased with the fractal dimension decreasing.Besides,the phenomenon of the streamline interruption gradually reduced during leaching while preferential seepage got more obvious with the decrease of the fractal dimension.

Rare earth elements(REE)and isotope composition(δ^(13)C andδ^(18)O)of manganese ores of Chiatura deposit(Georgia):features of ore formation and genesis

The rare earth elements(REE)geochemistry and the isotope(δ^(13)C,δ^(18)O)composition of manganese ores of the Chiatura(Georgia)deposit were studied.One of the major features of all types of manganese ores is negative cerium(Ce/Ce*_(PAAS))anomaly and the absence of europium(Eu/Eu*_(PAAS))anomaly.Oxide oolitic manganese ores were formed in oxic shallow marine environments.The content and distribution of REEs(in particular Ce and Eu)in these ores are connected mainly with ferrous oxides.The performed C-and O-isotope research in Mn-carbonates(oolitic and massive)has indicated that carbonate ores were formed by the participation of isotopic ally light CO_(2)which is a result of the oxidation of organic matter in the sediment strata by reducing environments of early diagenesis(and,partially,catagenesis)zone.Obtained negative cerium anomalies in the studied carbonate ores reflect the specific REE patterns in pore waters of sediments of earlier isdiagenesis zone of the Oligocene Chiatura's basin.The deficiency of cerium in this zone remains debatable and requires further study.Formation of manganese carbonates took place multistage by the input of incisional solutions of different chemistry into sea bottom waters and sediments.The absence of europium anomaly indicates about lack of hydrothermal solution input.

Apatite Fission Track Thermochronology of Granite from the Xiazhuang Uranium Ore Field,South China:Implications for Exhumation History and Ore Preservation

Xiazhuang uranium ore field,located in the southern part of the Nanling Metallogenic Belt,is considered one of the largest granite-related U regions in South China.In this paper,we contribute new apatite fission track data and thermal history modeling to constrain the exhumation history and evaluate preservation potential of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.Nine Triassic outcrop granite samples collected from different locations of Xiazhuang Uranium ore field yield AFT ages ranging from 43 to 24 Ma with similar mean confined fission track lengths ranging from 11.8±2.0 to 12.9±1.9μm and Dpar values between 1.01 and 1.51μm.The robustness time-temperature reconstructions of samples from the hanging wall of Huangpi fault show that the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field experienced a time of monotonous and slow cooling starting from middle Paleocene to middle Miocene(~60-10 Ma),followed by relatively rapid exhumation in the late Miocene(~10-5 Ma)and nearly thermal stability in the Pliocene-Quaternary(~5-0 Ma).The amount of exhumation after U mineralization since the Middle Paleogene was estimated as~4.3±1.8 km according to the integrated thermal history model.Previous studies indicate that the ore-forming ages of U deposits in the Xiazhuang ore field are mainly before Middle Paleocene and the mineralization depths are more than 4.4±1.2 km.Therefore,the exhumation history since middle Paleocene plays important roles in the preservation of the Xiazhuang Uranium ore field.

Bulk geochemistry,Rb-Sr,Sm-Nd,and stable O-H isotope systematics of the Metzimevin high-grade iron ore deposit,Mbalam iron ore district,southern Cameroon

Bulk geochemistry,Sr,Nd,and O-H isotope systematics are reported for the first time on banded iron formation(BIF)-hosted high-grade iron ore at the northwestern segment of Congo Craton(CC).Located in Mbalam iron ore district,Southern Cameroon,Metzimevin iron ore deposit is a hematite-magnetite BIF system,dominated by SiO_(2)+Fe_(2)O_(3)(97.1 to 99.84 wt%),with low concentrations of clastic elements e.g.,Al_(2)O_(3),TiO_(2),and HFSE,depicting a nearly pure chemical precipitate.The REE+Y signature of the iron deposit displays strong positive Eu anomaly,strong negative Ce anomaly,and chondritic to superchondritic Y/Ho ratios,suggestive of formation by mixed seawater-high temperature hydrothermal fluids in oxidising environment.The^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr ratios of the BIF are higher than the maximum^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr evolution curves for all Archean reservoirs(bulk silicate earth,Archean crust and Archean seawater),indicating involvement of continentally-derived components during BIF formation and alteration.TheƐ_(Nd)(t)(+2.26 to+3.77)and Nd model age indicate that chemical constituents for the BIF were derived from undifferentiated crustal source,between 3.002 and 2.88 Ga.The variable and diverse O and H isotope data(−1.9‰to 17.3‰and−57‰to 136‰respectively)indicate that the Metzimevin iron ore formed initially from magmatic plumes and later enriched by magmatic-metamorphic-modified meteoric fluids.Mass balance calculations indicate mineralisation by combined leaching and precipitation,with an average iron enrichment factor of>2.67 and SiO_(2)depletion factor of>0.99.This is associated with an overall volume reduction of 28.27%,reflecting net leaching and volume collapse of the BIF protholith.

Diffusion and reaction mechanism of limestone and quartz in fluxed iron ore pellet roasting process

The increase to the proportion of fluxed pellets in the blast furnace burden is a useful way to reduce the carbon emissions in the ironmaking process.In this study,the interaction between calcium carbonate and iron ore powder and the mineralization mechanism of fluxed iron ore pellet in the roasting process were investigated through diffusion couple experiments.Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to study the elements’diffusion and phase transformation during the roasting process.The results indicated that limestone decomposed into calcium oxide,and magnetite was oxidized to hematite at the early stage of preheating.With the increase in roasting temperature,the diffusion rate of Fe and Ca was obviously accelerated,while the diffusion rate of Si was relatively slow.The order of magnitude of interdiffusion coefficient of Fe_(2)O_(3)-CaO diffusion couple was 10^(−10) m^(2)·s^(−1) at a roasting temperature of 1200℃for 9 h.Ca_(2)Fe_(2)O_(5) was the initial product in the Fe_(2)O_(3)-CaO-SiO_(2) diffusion interface,and then Ca_(2)Fe_(2)O_(5) continued to react with Fe_(2)O_(3) to form CaFe_(2)O_(4).With the expansion of the diffusion region,the sillico-ferrite of calcium liquid phase was produced due to the melting of SiO_(2) into CaFe_(2)O_(4),which can strengthen the consolidation of fluxed pellets.Furthermore,andradite would be formed around a small part of quartz particles,which is also conducive to the consolidation of fluxed pellets.In addition,the principle diagram of limestone and quartz diffusion reaction in the process of fluxed pellet roasting was discussed.

Bioleaching of vanadium from stone coal vanadium ore by Bacillus mucilaginosus:Influencing factors and mechanism

Vanadium and its derivatives are used in various industries,including steel,metallurgy,pharmaceuticals,and aerospace engineering.Although China has massive reserves of stone coal resources,these resources have low grades.Therefore,the effective extraction and recovery of metallic vanadium from stone coal is an important way to realize the efficient resource utilization of stone coal vanadium ore.Herein,Bacillus mucilaginosus was selected as the leaching strain.The vanadium leaching rate reached 35.5%after 20 d of bioleaching under optimal operating conditions.The cumulative vanadium leaching rate in the contact group reached 35.5%,which was higher than that in the noncontact group(9.3%).The metabolites of B.mucilaginosus,such as oxalic,tartaric,citric,and malic acids,dominated in bioleaching,accounting for 73.8%of the vanadium leaching rate.Interestingly,during leaching,the presence of stone coal stimulated the expression of carbonic anhydrase in bacterial cells,and enzyme activity increased by 1.335-1.905 U.Enzyme activity positively promoted the production of metabolite organic acids,and total organic acid content increased by 39.31 mg·L^(-1),resulting in a reduction of 2.51 in the pH of the leaching system with stone coal.This effect favored the leaching of vanadium from stone coal.Atomic force microscopy illustrated that bacterial leaching exacerbated corrosion on the surface of stone coal beyond 10 nm.Our study provides a clear and promising strategy for exploring the bioleaching mechanism from the perspective of microbial enzyme activity and metabolites.

Theory of the Origin of Terrestrial and Lunar Ores

In this study, the theory of ore formation on the Earth and the Moon was developed. It is shown that ore deposits on the Earth and the Moon were mainly formed simultaneously with the separation of the Moon from the protoplanet and the formation of the oldest continents. The formation of terrestrial ores occurred as a result of the release of intermediate and heavy chemical elements from the deep layers of the protoplanet and the subsequent process of adhesion to old terrestrial geological faults. The time of terrestrial and lunar ores formations corresponds to the boundary between the Tonian and Cryogenian Periods (~720 Ma). Lunar ore formation processes are different on the near and far sides. The farside of the Moon is a single piece of the protoplanetary lithosphere, so ores there could be formed mainly due to the overflow of igneous rocks over the edge of the lunar continent. On the nearside, due to the rapid cooling, ores were formed in the area of navel-string during the drip-liquid separation of the Moon from the Earth. Due to the fact that the Moon separated at the first stage, the amount of water and methane on it is limited. In periods after the Cryogenian, volcanic, lava and sedimentary rocks on Earth could be enriched with intermediate elements due to the disruption of vertical stratification during galactic storms. To analyze this, a comparison of terrestrial volcanic and lunar pseudo-volcanic activity was carried out in the work.

Determination of critical state line(CSL)for silty-sandy iron ore tailings subjected to low-high confining pressures

The disposal of filtered tailings in high dry stacks can induce particle breakage,changing the material's behaviour during the structure's lifetime.The grading changes influence material properties at the critical state,and this is not mature for intermediate artificial soils(tailings)in a broad range of confining pressures.In this paper,it aims to describe the behaviour of iron ore tailings in a spectrum of confining pressures broader than the reported in previous studies.A series of consolidated drained(CD)triaxial tests was carried out with confining pressures ranging from 0.075 MPa to 120 MPa.These results show that the amount of breakage plays an essential role in the response of iron ore tailings.The existence of curved critical state line(CSL)in both specific volume(ν)-logarithm of mean effective stress(p′)and deviatoric stress(q)-mean effective stress(p′)planes,and different responses in the deviatoric stress-axial strain-volumetric strain curves were verified.An inverse S-shaped equation was proposed to represent the silty-sandy tailings'behaviour up to high pressures onν-lnp′plane.The proposed equation provides a basis for enhancing constitutive models and considers the evolution of the grading up to severe loading conditions.The adjustment considered three regions with different responses associated with particle breakage at different pressure levels.

Geochemistry, mineral paragenesis and geothermal conditions of oreforming fluids from the Ain El Bey Cu–Fe deposit: potential occurrence of native gold and precious metal traces (North African orogenic belt, Northern Tunisia)

The Ain El Bey abandoned mine, in North-West Tunisia, fits into the geodynamic context of the European and African plate boundary. Ore deposit corresponds to veins and breccia of multiphase Cu–Fe-rich mineralization related to various hydrothermal fluid circulations. Petromineralogical studies indicate a rich mineral paragenesis with a minimum of seven mineralization phases and, at least, six pyrite generations. As is also the case for galena and native silver, native gold is observed for the first time as inclusion in quartz which opens up, thus, new perspectives for prospecting and evaluating the potential for noble metals associated with the mineralization. Scanning Electron Microscope--Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopy analyses show, in addition, a large incorporation of trace elements, including Ag and Au, in mineral structures such as fahlores(tetrahedrite-tennantite) and chalcopyrite ones. The mineral/mineral associations, used as geothermometers, gave estimated temperatures for the mineralizing fluids varying from 254 to 330 ℃ for phase Ⅲ, from 254 to 350 ℃ for phase Ⅳ, and from 200 to 300 ℃ for phases Ⅴ and Ⅵ. The seventh and last identified mineralization phase, marked by a deposit of native gold, reflects a drop in the mineralizing fluid’s temperature(< 200 ℃) compatible with boiling conditions. Such results open up perspectives for the development of precious metal research and the revaluation of the Cu–Fe ore deposit at the Ain El Bey abandoned mine, as well as at the surrounding areas fitting in the geodynamic framework of the Africa-Europe plate boundary.

Enhancing XRF sensor-based sorting of porphyritic copper ore using particle swarm optimization-support vector machine(PSO-SVM)algorithm

X-ray fluorescence(XRF)sensor-based ore sorting enables efficient beneficiation of heterogeneous ores,while intraparticle heterogeneity can cause significant grade detection errors,leading to misclassifications and hindering widespread technology adoption.Accurate classification models are crucial to determine if actual grade exceeds the sorting threshold using localized XRF signals.Previous studies mainly used linear regression(LR)algorithms including simple linear regression(SLR),multivariable linear regression(MLR),and multivariable linear regression with interaction(MLRI)but often fell short attaining satisfactory results.This study employed the particle swarm optimization support vector machine(PSO-SVM)algorithm for sorting porphyritic copper ore pebble.Lab-scale results showed PSO-SVM out-performed LR and raw data(RD)models and the significant interaction effects among input features was observed.Despite poor input data quality,PSO-SVM demonstrated exceptional capabilities.Lab-scale sorting achieved 93.0%accuracy,0.24%grade increase,84.94%recovery rate,57.02%discard rate,and a remarkable 39.62 yuan/t net smelter return(NSR)increase compared to no sorting.These improvements were achieved by the PSO-SVM model with optimized input combinations and highest data quality(T=10,T is XRF testing times).The unsuitability of LR methods for XRF sensor-based sorting of investigated sample is illustrated.Input element selection and mineral association analysis elucidate element importance and influence mechanisms.

Study of Iron Ore Processing Technology of Tamir Gol Deposit in Mongolia

Iron ore processing for steel production is crucial to the development and economy of Mongolia. Regardless of having abundant natural resources and raw materials, Mongolia almost doesn’t produce final products. So far, most mining and mineral beneficiation plants export raw materials only subjected to beneficiation process. Out of more than 200 deposits in Mongolia, 91 deposits had been explored with different methods and stages, and estimated the resource of 33 reserves. Without processing the iron ore, it is impossible to use it for steelmaking due to its high sulfur and phosphorus impurities. Therefore, to study the processing of iron ore deposits in Mongolia, we did a preliminary investigation of iron ore deposits and took samples from the Tamir Gol deposit with high silica and phosphorus content that is difficult to process. Then, conducted mineral analysis and determined the grain structure and beneficiation characteristics of Tamir Gol iron deposit. .

Applicability of Gravity Separation Method on the Ashashire Gold Ore Deposit from Benishangul Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia

The study was conducted to determine the applicability of gravity separation method on the Ashashire gold ore deposit Benishangul gumuz region, western Ethiopia. The Ashashire composite was produced to provide sufficient mass for this study and experiment, including sample preparation, mineralogical analysis of gold and associated elements, gravity concentration, and data interpretation and analysis. During the study, a grind optimization was conducted on the composites sample with varying grind size to evaluate the effect of grind size on gold recovery. The ore was moderately ground to the standard grind size of 80%, passing 106 µm, 75 µm, 53 µm and this nominal size was selected for the preliminary assessment for concentration optimization for this deposit. The gravity testing comprised three-stage concentration using Knelson concentrator. High recovery of gold from the gravity concentrates was achieved from the second gravity concentration. Based on the laboratory experimental result analysis, a grind size of P80 75 µm is selected as optimal size for the Ashashire gold deposit. Increasing the grind size from P80 of 75 µm to 106 µm decreases the recovery rate from 75% to 54%, or decreasing the grind size from P80 of 75 µm to 53 µm decreases the gold recovery rate to 37%. The native gold grain in the ores is mostly associated with quartz and fine gold is closely associated with pyrite. According to analysis of the fire assay, chemical, and mineralogical data, only gold and telluride is commercially valuable elements in the ores. Predominantly gold was occurred in the native form of Au-Te. The sample subjected to gravity separation assayed about 2.6 g/t Au.

Reductive leaching of manganese oxide ores using waste tea as reductant in sulfuric acid solution

Manganese oxide ores from Gabon and Xiangxi were leached with waste tea as reductant in dilute sulfuric acid solution. The effects of waste tea dosage, concentration of sulfuric acid, liquid-to-solid ratio, leaching temperature and reaction time on leaching process were explored. The leaching efficiency of Gabonese manganese oxide ore reached almost 100% under the optimal condition which was determined as follows： manganese oxide ore to waste tea mass ratio of 10：1, sulfuric acid concentration of 2.5 molFL, liquid-to-solid ratio of 7.5：1, leaching temperature of 368 K, time of 8 h. The leaching efficiency of Xiangxi manganese oxide ore reached 99.8% under the optimal condition which was determined as follows： manganese oxide ore to waste tea mass ratio of 10：1, sulfuric acid concentration of 1.7 mol/L, liquid-to-solid ratio of 7.5：1, leaching temperature of 368 K, time of 8 h. The leaching process followed the internal diffusion controlled kinetic model, and the apparent activation energies of Gabonese manganese oxide ore and Xiangxi manganese oxide ore were calculated to be 38.2 kJ/mol and 20.4 kJ/mol, respectively. The morphological changes and mineralogical forms of the ore before and after the chemical treatment were discussed with the support of XRD analysis and SEM analysis.

Leaching of low grade zinc oxide ores in Ida^(2-)-H_2O system

Ida2--H2O system（iminodiacetate aqueous solution） was used to leach a low grade zinc oxide ore for Zn extraction.The effects of leaching time,liquid-solid ratio（L/S）,total concentration of Ida2-（[Ida2-]T）,leaching temperature and pH on Zn leaching recovery and the dissolution of impurities such as Ca,Mg,Cu,Ni,Fe,Pb and Cd were investigated.Results show that Ca,Mg and Fe in ores were hardly dissolved in alkalescent iminodiacetate aqueous solution,while valuable metals such as Cu,Ni,Pb and Cd were partly dissolved into leaching liquor with Zn.The recovery of Zn reaches 76.6% when the ores were leached for 4 h at 70 ℃ by 0.9 mol/L iminodiacetate aqueous solution with pH of 8 and L/S of 5：1.

Research status of carbonaceous matter in carbonaceous gold ores and bio-oxidation pretreatment

Carbonaceous gold mines are important refractory gold ores. The previous results demonstrate that the carbonaceous matter is mainly composed of elemental carbon, organic acid and hydrocarbons. The dissolved aurocyanide complex is robbed by adsorption of carbonaceous matter, which is similar to activated carbon in cyanide leaching of gold. The pretreatment methods of carbonaceous gold ores were introduced, including high temperature roasting, bio-oxidation, chemical oxidation, competitive adsorption, barrier inhibition and microwave roasting. Recently, bio-oxidation was developed rapidly due to its advantages such as mild conditions, simple processes, low energy consumption and friendly environment. The known microorganisms related with bio-oxidation pretreatment mainly are chemolithotroph bacteria such as Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, Thiobacillus thiooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans. The researches on decomposing and passivating carbonaceous matter were commenced by Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Pseudomonadaceae and Streptomyces setonii. Finally, the main problems were analyzed and the application prospect of this technique was looked forward.

Infrared thermography for prediction of spontaneous combustion of sulfide ores

The method of infrared thermography to predict the temperature of the sulfide ores has a large error. To solve this problem, the temperature of the sulfide ores is measured by thermal infrared imager and recording thermometric instrument contrastively. The main factors, including emissivity, distance, angle and dust concentration that affect the temperature measurement precision, are analyzed. The regression equations about the individual factors and comprehensive factors are obtained by analyzing test data. The application of the regression equations improves the precision of the thermal infrared imager. The geometric information lost in traditional infrared thermometry is determined by visualization grid method and interpolation method, the relationship between the infrared imager and geometry information is established. The geometry location can be measured exactly.

Manganese extraction by reduction-acid leaching from low-grade manganese oxide ores using CaS as reductant

The extraction of manganese from low-grade manganese oxide ores using Ca S derived from Ca SO4 as reductant was investigated. The effects of mass ratio of Ca S to ore, reduction temperature, reduction time, liquid to solid ratio（L/S ratio）, stirring speed, leaching temperature, leaching time and H2SO4 concentration on the leaching rates of Mn and Fe during the reduction–acid leaching process were discussed. The leaching rates of 96.47% for Mn and 19.24% for Fe were obtained under the optimized conditions of mass ratio of Ca S to manganese oxide ore 1：6.7, L/S ratio 5：1, stirring speed 300 r/min, reduction temperature of 95 °C for 2.0 h in the reduction process and leaching stirring speed of 200 r/min, H2SO4 concentration of 1.5 mol/L, leaching temperature of 80 °C for 5 min in the leaching process. In addition, this process can be employed in the recovery of manganese from various manganese oxide ores, and Mn leaching rate above 95% is obtained.

Dechromization and dealumination kinetics in process of Na_2CO_3-roasting pretreatment of laterite ores

A novel process was proposed for the activation pretreatment of limonitic laterite ores by Na2CO3 roasting. Dechromization and dealumination kinetics of the laterite ores and the effect of particle size, Na2CO3-ore mass ratio, and roasting temperature on Cr and Al extraction were studied. Experimental results indicate that the extraction rates of Cr and Al are up to 99%and 82%, respectively, under the optimal particle size of 44–74μm, Na2CO3-to-ore mass ratio of 0.6：1, and temperature of 1000 ℃. Dechromization within the range of 600–800 oC is controlled by the diffusion through the product layer with an apparent activation energy of 3.9 kJ/mol, and that it is controlled by the chemical reaction at the surface within the range of 900–1100 ℃ with an apparent activation energy of 54.3 kJ/mol. Besides, the Avrami diffusion controlled model with on apparent activation energy of 16.4 kJ/mol is most applicable for dealumination. Furthermore, 96.8%Ni and 95.6%Co could be extracted from the alkali-roasting residues in the subsequent pressure acid leaching process.