Liquid/liquid extraction of gallium values from highly basic aqueous solutions thereof

摘要

Gallium values are recovered from highly basic aqueous solutions thereof, especially from sodium/aluminum liquors of Bayer process origin, by liquid/liquid extraction with a water immiscible organic phase comprising an organic solvent and a dissolved, water- insoluble substituted hydroxyquinoline, said recovery being characterized in that at least the step of extracting the gallium values is conducted under an inert atmosphere.