XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 1349
to separate the pregnant liquor from the slurry. In addi-
tion to the viscosity, the fine nature of the feed also poses a
problem for solid-liquid separation. Even though the solid-
liquid separation was achieved in ethaline, the practicality
of the separation remains in question as it was achieved
under extreme conditions. Moreover, the dissolution per-
centage obtained was minimal, even from ACL tailings,
which are water soluble and tend to dissolve in any solvent.
The preliminary investigation shows that the tested solvents
are unsuitable for extracting from primary ores and mine
tailings. However, further research is required to examine a
range of solvents for these feeds using various parameters.
A more comprehensive study, including DES based on dif-
ferent hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, would provide
a clearer understanding of the applicability of these solvents
for extracting from primary sources.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The research is supported by Lynas Corporation Ltd and the
Mineral Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA).
The authors thank Bernard Mwango for their support with
the necessary lab equipment and ICP-OES.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
Time (h)
Fe P T-REE
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
Time (h)
Fe P T-REE
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
Time (h)
Fe P T-REE
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
Time (h)
Fe P T-REE
Ore A Ore B
Float Tails ACL Tails
Figure 2. Behaviour of different feeds in oxalic acid (85°C, 0.8 mol/L oxalic acid, S/L ratio =1:10, 250 rpm)
Elemental
Dissolutin
(%)
Elemental
Dissolutin
(%)
Elemental
Dissolutin
(%)
Elemental
Dissolutin
(%)
to separate the pregnant liquor from the slurry. In addi-
tion to the viscosity, the fine nature of the feed also poses a
problem for solid-liquid separation. Even though the solid-
liquid separation was achieved in ethaline, the practicality
of the separation remains in question as it was achieved
under extreme conditions. Moreover, the dissolution per-
centage obtained was minimal, even from ACL tailings,
which are water soluble and tend to dissolve in any solvent.
The preliminary investigation shows that the tested solvents
are unsuitable for extracting from primary ores and mine
tailings. However, further research is required to examine a
range of solvents for these feeds using various parameters.
A more comprehensive study, including DES based on dif-
ferent hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, would provide
a clearer understanding of the applicability of these solvents
for extracting from primary sources.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The research is supported by Lynas Corporation Ltd and the
Mineral Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA).
The authors thank Bernard Mwango for their support with
the necessary lab equipment and ICP-OES.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
Time (h)
Fe P T-REE
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
Time (h)
Fe P T-REE
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
Time (h)
Fe P T-REE
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
Time (h)
Fe P T-REE
Ore A Ore B
Float Tails ACL Tails
Figure 2. Behaviour of different feeds in oxalic acid (85°C, 0.8 mol/L oxalic acid, S/L ratio =1:10, 250 rpm)
Elemental
Dissolutin
(%)
Elemental
Dissolutin
(%)
Elemental
Dissolutin
(%)
Elemental
Dissolutin
(%)