Base metal heap and tank leaching of a platreef flotation concentrate using ammoniacal solutions
The technical feasibility of the ammonia leaching process of a Platreef flotation concentrate was investigated in different reactor settings i.e. shake flasks, columns and batch stirred tank reactors, respectively. The process investigated aims to use either a heap leaching environment or tank leaching of untreated low-grade concentrates under ambient conditions and mild temperatures. This process is proposed as an alternative primary treatment method for the recovery of base metal sulphides from a PGM containing concentrate that cannot be extracted economically by conventional milling, smelting and refining methods.
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Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research