A novel technology for molybdenum extraction from molybdenite concentrate

The technology of molybdenum extraction from molybdenite concentrate by using sodium chlorate has been investigated. The results show that leaching time, liquid-to-solid ratio, leaching temperature, agitation speed, sodium chlorate and hydrochloric acid concentration have significant effect; optimum process operating parameters were established as follows: time: 4 h; hydrochloric acid concentration: 20%; liquid-to-solid ratio: 10:1; temperature: 70 °C; agitation speed: 500 rpm; and the molar ratio of NaClO3 to MoS2: 3.21. Under these experimental conditions, the extraction of molybdenum is greater than 98%. The mixture of 30% triotylamine and 20% sec-Caprylic alcohol diluted kerosene oil is an effective extractant of molybdenum; the molybdenum extraction efficiencies in the examined conditions were about 99.6% under conditions of O: a ratio of 1:1, hydrochloric acid 60 g/L for 10 min at room temperature. Stripping of molybdenum to aqueous phase was efficient when 18% ammonia liquor were applied. The molybdenum stripping efficiencies in the examined conditions were about 99.5% under conditions of O: a ratio of 1:1 for 10 min at 40 °C.