Hydrometallurgical process using resin-neutralized-solution of a heap leaching effluent

Abstract

The present invention refers to a hydro-metallurgical process using resin-in-neutralized-solution in heap leaching effluent. More specifically, the process is applicable to lateritic ore, nickel oxidate, cobalt oxidate or a mixture containing metals of interest—nickel, cobalt and other secondary metals, wherein ore is leached by adding an acid or a base with possible pH adjustment, aided by acid or base with neutralization of heap leaching effluent, by adding lime, limestone, soda or ammonia in the temperature of 70° to 95° C. range, at pH in the pH4 to pH5 range; wherein soluble impurity species can be reduced or cementing / complexation techniques, comprising a neutralized leaching effluent, as slurry, made up of solid particles (precipitated compounds) and solution, but ore-free; which is fed into the RINS (resin-in-neutralized-solution) circuit, with no need for solid-liquid separation; wherein the resin-in-neutralized-solution circuit comprises multiple sequential vats stirred in countercurrent flow and wherein the loaded resin is separated from the slurry by screening.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 968,599 which was filed on Aug. 29, 2007.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention is related to the field of the use of resin-in-neutralized-solution in the process of heap leaching effluent.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]One of the difficulties facing nickel lateritic ore processing plants occurs in assorted conventional hydrometallurgical flowchart choices that considerably differ among themselves. There is no standard optimized flowchart meeting these ores' chemical and mineral needs. Various flowcharts show technical-economic restrictions and constraints that must be minimized or even downright eliminated by optimizing unit operations involved. An ever-growing complexity (chemical, mineral, size) of ore deposits is another major hurdle. Many companies ideally aspire to find a large high-grade deposit, easy to mine and to process. Conventional technologies can be used with ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0045]a) Acid leaching, followed by neutralization, can produce a hard-to-settle slurry or solids which, when separated, are difficult to wash. The RINS process can get around these operating difficulties by eliminating the solid-liquid separation stage.

[0049]Following neutralization, neutralized leaching effluent, with no liquid-solid separation, goes to the stage where ion exchange with polymeric resins is directly applied to the slurry. This process is called RINS. Basically, it is an option in solution purification, with a perspective of effective and selective separation of nickel from the other impurities in the effluent. This process makes it possible to eliminate the costly solid-liquid separation and to achieve high efficiency. Major gains are thus expected in process economic savings. Furthermore, a simplification is proposed for the next stages in the present process flowchart.

[0050]A high purity product known as eluate is obtained in ion exchange. This is conducive not only to simplification of the next stages but also to simpler unit operations. The process flowchart is thus simplified; eliminating possible operational problems that are common to impure solutions. Once separated, nickel and cobalt are individually recovered. Nickel and cobalt can then be recovered as diverse products.

[0052]Increased process efficiency, high recovery rates of nickel and cobalt.

[0055]Less environmental impact--reduced water consumption and opportunity for water recycling.

[0057]Enhanced quality of process final products-high selectivity of interest metals, great separation capacity and outstanding metal recovery efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

a) Acid leaching, followed by neutralization, can produce a hard-to-settle slurry or solids which, when separated, are difficult to wash. The RINS process can get around these operating difficulties by eliminating the solid-liquid separation stage.

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