Jaguar Nickel Inc.

Process Research Ortech Inc.

G Bryn Harris

Ramamritham Sridhar

Vaikuntam Iyer Lakshmanan

George Puvvada

Vaikuntum I Lakshmanan

Geroge Puvvada

Benjamin Chun Chan

A process for leaching a value metal from a base metal sulfide ore, comprising the step of leaching the ore with a lixiviant comprising a chloride, an oxidant and hydrochloric acid is disclosed. The leaching is controlled, by use of low concentrations of hydrochloric acid and a redox potential, to effect formation of hydrogen sulfide from the base metal sulfide ore. The hydrogen sulfide is stripped from the leach solution, thereby reducing the amount of sulfate generated in the leach to very low levels. The leaching may also be conducted to limit the co-dissolution of platinum group metals and gold with the base value metals. The leach forms a value metal-rich leachate and a solids residue. The solids residue may be subsequently leached to recover the platinum group metals and gold. The value metal-rich leachate can be oxidized and neutralized to recover the value base metals. In an embodiment, the chloride is magnesium chloride and lixiviant solution is regenerated.

Process for the recovery of value metals from base metal sulfide ores

A process for leaching a value metal from a titanium-bearing ore material comprising the step of leaching the ore material at atmospheric pressure with a lixiviant comprising a chloride and hydrochloric acid is disclosed. The leaching conditions are such that titanium is leached and remains in solution. The temperature is maintained at less that 85&#xb0; C., and the concentration of hydrochloric acid is preferably less than 20% (mass ratio). The preferred chloride is magnesium chloride. The lixiviant may contain oxidant e.g. sodium chlorate or chlorine.

Process for the recovery of titanium in mixed chloride media

A process for leaching a value metal from a base metal sulfide ore, comprising the step of leaching the ore with a lixiviant comprising a chloride, an oxidant and hydrochloric acid is disclosed. The leaching is controlled, by use of low concentrations of hydrochloric acid and a redox potential, to effect formation of hydrogen sulfide from the base metal sulfide ore. The hydrogen sulfide is stripped from the leach solution, thereby reducing the amount of sulfate generated in the leach to very low levels. The leaching may also be conducted to limit the co-dissolution of platinum group metals and gold with the base value metals. The leach forms a value metal-rich leachate and a solids residue. The solids residue may be subsequently leached to recover the platinum group metals and gold. The value metal-rich leachate can be is oxidized and neutralized to recover the value base metals. In an embodiment, the chloride is magnesium chloride and lixiviant solution is regenerated.

A process for leaching a value metal from oxidic materials, such as a lateritic nickel ore, comprising the step of leaching the ore with a lixiviant comprising a cationic salt (e.g., magnesium chloride) and hydrochloric acid is disclosed. An oxidant or additional metal chloride (such as that which results from the leaching operation) may be added. In one embodiment, the process comprises recovery of a value metal from ore comprising the steps of: leaching the ore with a lixiviant; separating a value metal-rich leachate from the ore in a first solid-liquid separation; oxidizing and neutralizing the value metal-rich leachate so obtained; and separating a solution of magnesium chloride from the leachate so obtained in a second solid-liquid separation. In another embodiment, the lixiviant solution is regenerated from the solution of magnesium chloride. In a further embodiment, regeneration of the lixiviant solution includes a step of producing magnesium oxide from the solution of magnesium chloride.

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Montreal, Canada

G Bryn Harris