Microporous glutaraldehyde-crosslinked chitosan sorbents include a plurality of nanoparticles of a high Z element. The nanoparticles are disposed in the cross-linked chitosan-gluteraldehyde composite matrix and integrated with the cross-linked chitosan-gluteraldehyde composite matrix to reduce primary impact of high radiation flux and minimize radiolytic effect on said cross-linked chitosan-gluteraldehyde composite matrix. The plurality of nanoparticles is made from the high Z element such as hafnium (Hf). Methods of making and using the microporous glutaraldehyde-crosslinked chitosan sorbents, and a generator for the radioisotope .sup.99Mo containing the sorbents.

Microporous glutaraldehyde-crosslinked chitosan sorbents include a plurality of nanoparticles of a high Z element. The nanoparticles are disposed in the cross-linked chitosan-gluteraldehyde composite matrix and integrated with the cross-linked chitosan-gluteraldehyde composite matrix to reduce primary impact of high radiation flux and minimize radiolytic effect on said cross-linked chitosan-gluteraldehyde composite matrix. The plurality of nanoparticles is made from the high Z element such as hafnium (Hf). Methods of making and using the microporous glutaraldehyde-crosslinked chitosan sorbents, and a generator for the radioisotope .sup.99Mo containing the sorbents.

The invention provides a method for extracting transition metals, the method comprising supplying a feedstream containing transition metal, mixing the feedstream with nitric acid for a time and at a concentration sufficient to form an aqueous phase containing the transition metal, combining the aqueous phase with organic extractant phase for a time and at a concentration sufficient to cause the transition metal to reside within the organic extractant phase, and combining the transition metal-containing organic extractant phase with an hydroxamic acid-containing aqueous phase at a concentration and for a time sufficient to cause the transition metal to reside in the hydroxamic acid-containing aqueous phase.

The invention provides a method for extracting transition metals, the method comprising supplying a feedstream containing transition metal, mixing the feedstream with nitric acid for a time and at a concentration sufficient to form an aqueous phase containing the transition metal, combining the aqueous phase with organic extractant phase for a time and at a concentration sufficient to cause the transition metal to reside within the organic extractant phase, and combining the transition metal-containing organic extractant phase with an hydroxamic acid-containing aqueous phase at a concentration and for a time sufficient to cause the transition metal to reside in the hydroxamic acid-containing aqueous phase.

Systems and methods are disclosed for extracting a plurality of materials from a solution. These include a plurality of extraction devices. The extraction devices use a resin suspended above at least one screen, and the resin is used to extract at least one material from a fluid. A liquid is forced through the plurality of extraction devices and a separate material is extracted in each of the extraction devices. The resin is selected for each of the extraction devices and is based upon the material for which that extraction device is designed to remove from the fluid. Each of the extraction devices operate in series to remove at least one material from the fluid.

Systems and methods are disclosed for extracting a plurality of materials from a solution. These include a plurality of extraction devices. The extraction devices use a resin suspended above at least one screen, and the resin is used to extract at least one material from a fluid. A liquid is forced through the plurality of extraction devices and a separate material is extracted in each of the extraction devices. The resin is selected for each of the extraction devices and is based upon the material for which that extraction device is designed to remove from the fluid. Each of the extraction devices operate in series to remove at least one material from the fluid.

A mineral processing facility is provided that includes a cogen plant to provide electrical energy and waste heat to the facility and an electrochemical acid generation plant to generate, from a salt, a mineral acid for use in recovering valuable metals.

A mineral processing facility is provided that includes a cogen plant to provide electrical energy and waste heat to the facility and an electrochemical acid generation plant to generate, from a salt, a mineral acid for use in recovering valuable metals.

Methods of enhancing recovery of value sulfide and/or precious-metal minerals from an ore containing said minerals and a Mg-silicate, slime forming mineral, and/or clay, and which is subjected to a froth flotation process, by adding to one or more stage of the froth flotation process a froth phase modifier having a polymer containing one or more functional groups, and optionally a monovalent ion modifier enhancing agent, thereby enhancing recovery of a value sulfide mineral and/or a precious metal-bearing mineral.

Methods of enhancing recovery of value sulfide and/or precious-metal minerals from an ore containing said minerals and a Mg-silicate, slime forming mineral, and/or clay, and which is subjected to a froth flotation process, by adding to one or more stage of the froth flotation process a froth phase modifier having a polymer containing one or more functional groups, and optionally a monovalent ion modifier enhancing agent, thereby enhancing recovery of a value sulfide mineral and/or a precious metal-bearing mineral.