Selective acid leaching of nickel and cobalt from precipitated manganese hydroxide in the presence of chlorine dioxide

Nickel and cobalt bearing precipitated manganese hydroxide was leached with H2SO4 in the presence of chlorine dioxide (ClO2). Due to the strong oxidising conditions, it was possible to achieve partial selectivity in the leaching of nickel and cobalt over manganese. During leaching, manganese was dissolved and re-precipitated as MnO2.