| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 212740 | Hydrometallurgy | 2011 | 5 Pages |
A stream of effluent from a mine tailings pond, containing zinc, ferrous ions and other metals, required treatment to prevent pollution and recover valuable metals. A solvent extraction (SX) process using Ionquest 290 as extractant was developed to recover the Zn from the effluent. Ferrous ions were bio-oxidized and removed by selective alkaline precipitation prior to the zinc extraction. The Fe removal as well as the SX process were developed successfully at laboratory scale and verified in a pilot plant on-site, using two Bateman Pulsed Columns for the extraction and stripping of Zn. The results were satisfactory obtaining above 95% recovery of the Zn.
Research highlights► Successful integrated process for Zn recovery (> 95%) from abandon mine tailing pond. ► Selective iron bio-oxidation–precipitation to achieve Fe free effluent (< 1 ppm). ► Pilot plant demonstrating feasibility for Zn recovery for tailing valorization.
