Process for producing one or more metals from a mineral treatment process to substantially remove silver and some metal (s) from a cuprous chloride solution counter-current leaching process to leach one or more metals from an apparatus mineral suitable for use in the cathode and membrane process suitable for use in an electrolysis cell and impeller suitable for use as the impeller medium in the apparatus

摘要

PCT No. PCT/AU93/00311 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 23, 1994 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 23, 1994 PCT Filed Jun. 25, 1993 PCT Pub. No. WO94/00606 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 6, 1994.A process for producing one or more metals from a mineral feedstock (12) is defined. The mineral is fed to a leaching apparatus (10) wherein it is contacted with electrolyte (14). The leaching apparatus has zones of decreasing oxidation potential (17, 18, 19, 20) respectively. A stream of electrolyte (14A) is removed from zone (20) and is treated to remove impurities and unwanted metals in treatment unit (25A), prior to metal recovery by electrolysis. The electrolyte after electrolysis is then returned to the leaching unit (10). A second electrolyte stream (14B) may be removed from zone (19) for recovery of additional metals. The electrolyte (14B) is treated to remove impurities and any unwanted metals in treatment unit (25B), prior to metal recovery by electrolysis. The electrolyte after electrolysis is returned to leaching unit (10). The process enables the leaching of difficult to leach minerals, including gold, and can produce one or more metals of high purity.