LEACHING OF METALS, OXIDES

AND HYDROXIDES
 Outlines
1. Leaching of Metals.
2. Leaching Oxides.
 1. Sources of Metals
• Occuring in nature in the native state: Au, Ag,
Cu, PGM.
• Produced by reduction of oxide ores: copper,
nickel, cobalt.
Ammonical Leaching of Copper, Nickel,
& Cobalt
• Ammonium hydroxide prefered to acids,e.g.,
H2SO4, which is less expensive for two reasons
– Presence of execessive acid-consuming gangues:
limestone or dolomite in the ore.
– Or an iron oxide matrix, partially dissolve in acid and
make the separation of the metals values difficult.
• The dissociation of ammoinium hydroxide is
small:
NH3 + H2O <-> NH4+ + OH-
Ammonical Leaching of Copper, Nickel,
& Cobalt
• Similiar in many respects; based on their
selective solution from low-grade ores by
adequate ammonia + air ( or oxygen) to form
ammine complexes [M(NH3)n]2+.
• M is Cu, Ni, & Co, n depends on the free
ammonia concentration in the solution.
 Leaching of Copper, Nickel, & Cobalt
• NH3 can be considered as the active complexing agent.
• Like cynidation process, the overal reaction:
M + nNH3 + 1/2O2 + H2O <-> [M(NH3)n]2+
• Rate of reaction depends oxygen partial pressure and
ammonia concentration.
• Ammonium carbonate is used becoz it readily
decomposes when the solution is boilded allowing
ammonia recovery. Ammonia is expensive.
• The Process is also known as the Caron Process after its
inventor.
Leaching of Copper, Nickel, & Cobalt
Applications of Ammonia Leaching
• Native copper. The ore is smelted dan the
tailings from the process are treated by
ammonia leaching. The tailings contained
0.4% metallic copper.
• Reduction of oxide or silicate ores:
– Low grade copper oxide ores
– Laterite nickel ores
– Manganese nodules
The leaching of Native Copper
2. OXIDES AND HYDROXIDES
BAUXITE ORES
COPPER OXIDE MINERALS
URANIUM ORES
URANIUM ORES
URANIUM ORES
URANIUM ORES
URANIUM ORES
ZINC OXIDE ORES AND CALCINES
ZINC OXIDE ORES AND CALCIN
ZINC OXIDE ORES AND CALCIN
ZINC OXIDE ORES AND CALCIN
 Homework#3
1. Jelaskan dan buat diagram alir proses
leaching bijih bauxite/aluminium untuk
memproduksi alumina (Al2O3). Tuliskan
reaksi-reaksi kimia yang terjadi selama proses
pengolahannya.
2. Jelaskan dan buat diagram alir proses
pengolahan bijih tembaga oksida (copper
oxide) dengan menggunakan asam sulfat
hingga menghasilkan logam tembaga murni.