Solvent extraction: the coordination chemistry behind extractive metallurgy

Solvent extraction: the coordination chemistry behind extractive metallurgy.

The modes of action of the commercial solvent extractants used in extractive hydrometallurgy are classified according to whether the recovery process involves the transport of metal cations, M(n+), metalate anions, MXx(n-), or metal salts, MXx into a water-immiscible solvent. Well-established principles of coordination chemistry provide an explanation for the remarkable strengths and selectivit...

Extractive Metallurgy and National Policy

Hydrometallurgical technology offers a unique possibility for developing countries to exploit their mineral resources locally instead of shipping them as concentrates. Production plants may start on a small scale with small capital investment then increase productivity later when the economy permits without financial penalty. This is in contract to smelting operations which necessitates large s...

Extractive metallurgy of rare earths

Although most of the rare earth metals were discovered in Sweden, the industrialisation started in the Austrian Empire. This was due to the fact that the Swedish chemist Jons Fridrik Bahr (1815–1875) from Uppsala went to Heidelberg in Germany in 1855 to analyse some rare earth minerals by the spectroscope discovered recently by chemistry professor Robert Bunsen (1811– 1899) and his colleague ph...

Tannins in Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy

This study provides an up to date review of tannins, specifically quebracho, in mineral processing and metallurgical processes. Quebracho is a highly useful reagent in many flotation applications, acting as both a depressant and a dispersant. Three different types of quebracho are mentioned in this study; quebracho “S” or Tupasol ATO, quebracho “O” or Tupafin ATO, and quebracho “A” or Silvafloc...

Uranium extraction: Coordination chemistry in the ocean.