Deepsea Ventures, Inc.

Richard G Sandberg

Paul H Cardwell

William S Kane

This invention provides a method for treating manganese oxide ores in an aqueous medium, with hydrogen halide or sulfuric acid, and a hydrogen sulfide or a metal sulfide, e.g. an ore. A leach liquor containing the desirable metal halides is then separated from the solid, insoluble residue. Any iron value in either the manganese oxide ore or in any metal sulfide ore present is not dissolved or is converted to an insoluble iron oxide. Elemental sulfur is also obtained. The metal values in the leach liquor are recovered by crystallization of the manganese halide and liquid ion exchange extraction of the other metal values present.

Refining of manganese oxide ores

This invention provides a process for obtaining the nonferrous metal values from a manganese oxide ore, by reacting the ore with an aluminum halide or a ferric halide at a temperature of at least about 50.degree. C and preferably, at least about 130.degree. C. The manganese oxide ore can be treated with or without reduction. If reduction of the manganese oxide ore is desired, it can be accomplished prior to, or simultaneously with, the reaction with the aluminum halide or ferric halide. The resulting nonferrous metal halides can be separated from the reacted ore residue by conventional methods such as leaching or evaporation.

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Gloucester, VA, United States of America

Richard G Sandberg