Pre-treatment for the extraction of manganese from mangano-argentiferous refractory tailings

ABSTRACT

A novel process was used to extract manganese from minerals that are refractory to cyanidation and ammonium thiosulphate. These minerals, known as mangano-argentiferous compounds, are principally composed of manganese, silver, and iron and exhibit low recovery. The mineral of interest was obtained from the leaching tails procured in Monte del Favor, Hostotipaquillo, Jalisco, Mexico. The tailings were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), atomic absorption, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) microanalysis. After mineralogical characterisation, the tailings were screened through a mesh (mesh number 100, 0.147 mm); later, they were subjected to a reductive leaching process, where the solid–liquid ratio was varied from 2:1 to 10:1. A 5:1 ratio yielded the highest manganese content. With sulphuric acid and sodium sulphite as the reducing agents, 96.05% of Mn could be extracted during the first 3 h, with a head grade of 3.58% and an acid consumption of 49.31 kg/t. The sulphite consumption was found to be 9.81 kg/t.

RÉSUMÉ

On a utilisé un nouveau procédé pour extraire le manganèse de minéraux qui sont réfractaires à la cyanuration et au thiosulfate de sodium. Ces minéraux, connus sous le nom de composés mangano-argentifères, sont composés principalement de manganèse, d’argent et de fer et exhibent une récupération faible. On a obtenu le minéral d’intérêt à partir des rejets de lixiviation en provenance de Monte del Favor, Hostotipaquillo, Jalisco, Mexico. On a caractérisé les rejets par diffraction des rayons X sur poudre (XRD), par absorption atomique, et par microanalyse par spectroscopie des rayons X à dispersion d’énergie (EDS). Après la caractérisation minéralogique, on a tamisé les rejets à travers une maille (taille de maille de 100, 0.147 mm); plus tard, on les a soumis à un procédé de lixiviation réductrice, où le rapport de solide à liquide variait de 2:1 à 10:1. Un rapport de 5:1 a produit la teneur la plus élevée en manganèse. Avec l’acide sulfurique et le sulfite de sodium comme agents réducteurs, on a pu extraire 96.05% du Mn pendant les 3 premières heures, avec une teneur de tête de 3.58% et une consommation d’acide de 49.31 kg/t. On a trouvé que la consommation de sulfite était de 9.81 kg/t.

KEYWORDS:

• Gold and silver leaching
• refractory minerals
• manganese extraction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Prof. G. Tiburcio Munive: The professor munive is a chemical engineer from Technological Institute of Veracruz, he has a master's degree in Extractive Metallurgy from the University of Sonora, and a Doctorate in Science from the university of Baja California, he has 35 years of academic experience and over 20 graduate students.

Prof. M.A. Encinas Romero: Professor Martin Encinas is a graduate chemical engineer from the University of Sonora, has a Master's Degree in Extractive Metallurgy and a Doctorate in Engineering Science from the University of Sonora, and has 28 years of experience in the academic field.

Prof. A. Valenzuela Soto: Professor Valenzuela is a Chemical Engineer with a specialty in Metallurgy, graduated from the University of Sonora, has a Master's degree in Extractive Metallurgy from the University of Sonora, PhD studies in Materials Sciences conducted at the Technological Institute of Saltillo, has a 32 years of academic experience.

Prof. V. Vázquez Vázquez: Professor Victor Vazquez is a chemical engineer graduated from the Technological Institute of Toluca, the Master's and Doctorate in Materials Sciences he made in the Technological Institute of Saltillo, in 2008 he made a research stay in the School of Mines of Colorado collaborating with the Professor Gerard Martins.

Prof. J. H. Coronado López: Professor Coronado is a chemical engineer specializing in metallurgy graduated from the University of Sonora, the Master's degree and Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences carried out at the University of Sonora, has 33 years of academic experience at the University of Sonora.