Aqueous ammonia solution, pressure leaching with

In the Nippon Mining Company process,163 the aqueous feed consists of a solution of cobalt, nickel and other metal sulfates obtained by the high-pressure oxidative leaching of a mixed metal sulfide ore. Following the removal of iron and copper by chemical precipitation methods, and the successive extraction of zinc and cobalt by organophosphorus acid reagents (Section 63.3.2.2) under weakly acidic conditions, the pH value of the solution is adjusted to between 9 and 9.5 with ammonia, and nickel is extracted into a 25% solution of LIX 64N in an alkane solvent. 

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