Processing Technologies for Extracting Cobalt from Domestic Resources

摘要

A summary of the cobalt processing technologies for the major domestic resources is presented. The processing technologies for the Blackbird, Madison Mine, Duluth Gabbro, iron ore pyrite, laterites, and manganese sea nodules are nearly complete, but the economics are not favorable. Research on these resources should be limited to approaches that promise to cut the total processing costs by at least 50 pct. The most promising sources of cobalt are the spent copper leach solutions and siegenite from the Missouri lead ores. Research on cobalt processing from these two sources needs to be completed.