A mineralizer composition for Pidgeon silicothermic process for smelting magnesium consists of fluorite and a boron-containing compound. Amounts of the fluorite and the boron-containing compound meet the following equation:

M.sub.fluo-original=(1−x)M.sub.fluo+(m)(x)M.sub.B,

where, M.sub.fluo-original is a mass of the fluorite required in a conventional Pidgeon silicothermic process in which no boron-containing compound is introduced to replace a fraction or all of the total fluorite, M.sub.fluo is a mass of the fluorite in the composition, M.sub.B is a mass of the boron-containing compound in the composition, 0.5≤x≤1, and 2≤m≤8. A Pidgeon silicothermic process for smelting magnesium is also provided, which employs the mineralizer composition. The composition and process of the disclosure enable reduction and even avoidance of dust pollution caused by fluorite-containing magnesium slag.

A mineralizer composition for Pidgeon silicothermic process for smelting magnesium consists of fluorite and a boron-containing compound. Amounts of the fluorite and the boron-containing compound meet the following equation:

M.sub.fluo-original=(1−x)M.sub.fluo+(m)(x)M.sub.B,

where, M.sub.fluo-original is a mass of the fluorite required in a conventional Pidgeon silicothermic process in which no boron-containing compound is introduced to replace a fraction or all of the total fluorite, M.sub.fluo is a mass of the fluorite in the composition, M.sub.B is a mass of the boron-containing compound in the composition, 0.5≤x≤1, and 2≤m≤8. A Pidgeon silicothermic process for smelting magnesium is also provided, which employs the mineralizer composition. The composition and process of the disclosure enable reduction and even avoidance of dust pollution caused by fluorite-containing magnesium slag.

The invention provides a method for the recovery of a metal-containing product (M.sub.Prod) comprising: providing a composite material comprising a matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.O), a product metal (M.sub.P) dispersed in the matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.O), and one or more metal compounds (M.sub.PC.sub.R) of the product metal (Mp) in one or more oxidation states dispersed in the matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.O); and treating the composite material to at least partially remove the one or more metal compounds (M.sub.PC.sub.R) from the matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.O) to form the metal-containing product (M.sub.Prod).

The invention provides a method for the recovery of a metal-containing product (M.sub.Prod) comprising: providing a composite material comprising a matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.O), a product metal (M.sub.P) dispersed in the matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.O), and one or more metal compounds (M.sub.PC.sub.R) of the product metal (Mp) in one or more oxidation states dispersed in the matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.O); and treating the composite material to at least partially remove the one or more metal compounds (M.sub.PC.sub.R) from the matrix of oxidised reductant (R.sub.O) to form the metal-containing product (M.sub.Prod).

A method of recovering rare earth elements and other trace metals from based ores can include providing a body of rubblized carbon-based ore. The rubblized carbon-based ore can include carbonates and rare earth elements. The carbonates in the ore can be decomposed at an elevated decomposition temperature and an oxygen deficient atmosphere to form an enriched spent ore and carbon dioxide.

A method of recovering rare earth elements and other trace metals from based ores can include providing a body of rubblized carbon-based ore. The rubblized carbon-based ore can include carbonates and rare earth elements. The carbonates in the ore can be decomposed at an elevated decomposition temperature and an oxygen deficient atmosphere to form an enriched spent ore and carbon dioxide.

Disclosed herein is a method for reducing a metal oxide in a metal containing precursor. The method comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising the metal oxide containing precursorand an aluminium reductant; heating the reaction mixture in the presence of solid or gaseous aluminium chloride to temperature at which reactionsthatresultin the metal oxide being reduced are initiated; controlling reaction conditions whereby the reaction mixture is prevented from reaching a temperature at which thermal runaway can occur; and isolating reaction products that include reduced metal oxide.

Disclosed herein is a method for reducing a metal oxide in a metal containing precursor. The method comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising the metal oxide containing precursorand an aluminium reductant; heating the reaction mixture in the presence of solid or gaseous aluminium chloride to temperature at which reactionsthatresultin the metal oxide being reduced are initiated; controlling reaction conditions whereby the reaction mixture is prevented from reaching a temperature at which thermal runaway can occur; and isolating reaction products that include reduced metal oxide.

Disclosed are a method for preparing lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide by reverse positioning of a power battery and use thereof. The method first mixes and grinds a positive electrode tab and a slagging agent, then dries, cools, adds an aluminum powder, mixes well, conducts a self-propagating reaction to the mixed material, cools, takes a lower layer of rough nickel cobalt manganese alloy, grinds the rough nickel cobalt manganese alloy, adds an alkali liquor, then immerses, filters, takes the filter residue for washing and then dries, to obtain a nickel cobalt manganese alloy powder, adds a lithium salt solution to the porous nickel cobalt manganese alloy powder, mixes and drips an alkali liquor, ages, filters, takes a filter residue for washing and then dries, to obtain a mixed powder of precursor, sinters the mixed powder of precursor and cools, to obtain a lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide.

Processes for producing copper granules on a surface of a reducing metal. The process can include contacting the reducing metal with an aqueous solution comprising a copper(II) salt and a halide. The molar ratio of the halide to the copper(II) in the copper (II) salt can be at least about 3:1. The granular copper can be produced on a surface of the reducing metal, and is optionally removed from the surface of the reducing metal by shaking, washing, and/or brushing, and/or optionally with stirring and/or circulating of the aqueous solution.