Method for removing iron and copper from solutions using metal reagents

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for removing Cu and Fe from an aqueous acid solution containing one or more of Ni and Co, comprising the following steps: * adding a metal reagent comprising one or more of Ni and Co to the acid solution under oxidizing conditions, thereby neutralizing the acid solution and forming a precipitate of Cu and Fe, in which at least part of the Cu and Fe are in the form of hydroxides; and * separating the Cu and Fe precipitate from the solution, thereby obtaining a solution free of Cu and Fe. This process significantly reduces the need for external neutralizing agents, thus limiting or even completely avoiding the introduction of additional contaminants into the process. It is advantageous when applied to aqueous acid solutions obtained by soaking materials with a composition similar to that of alkaline reagents.