This application pertains to methods of recovering metals from metal sulfides that involve contacting the metal sulfide with an acidic sulfate solution containing ferric sulfate and a reagent that has a thiocarbonyl functional group, wherein the concentration of reagent in the acidic sulfate solution is sufficient to increase the rate of metal ion extraction relative to an acidic sulfate solution that does not contain the reagent, to produce a pregnant solution containing the metal ions.

This application pertains to methods of recovering metals from metal sulfides that involve contacting the metal sulfide with an acidic sulfate solution containing ferric sulfate and a reagent that has a thiocarbonyl functional group, wherein the concentration of reagent in the acidic sulfate solution is sufficient to increase the rate of metal ion extraction relative to an acidic sulfate solution that does not contain the reagent, to produce a pregnant solution containing the metal ions.

The present disclosure relates to a metal recovery process comprising a solvent extraction process. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a plant with a first and second circuit. A high-grade pregnant leach solution (HGPLS) is provided to the first and second circuit, and a low-grade pregnant leach solution (LGPLS) is provided to the second circuit. The first circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can be forwarded to a primary metal recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which can be forwarded to a secondary metal recovery process. The second circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can also be forwarded to the primary metal recovery process. The first and second circuits are in fluid communication with each other.

The present disclosure relates to a metal recovery process comprising a solvent extraction process. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a plant with a first and second circuit. A high-grade pregnant leach solution (HGPLS) is provided to the first and second circuit, and a low-grade pregnant leach solution (LGPLS) is provided to the second circuit. The first circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can be forwarded to a primary metal recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which can be forwarded to a secondary metal recovery process. The second circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can also be forwarded to the primary metal recovery process. The first and second circuits are in fluid communication with each other.

A procedure of minimum environmental impact and maximum lithium recovery for obtaining concentrated brines with minimal impurity content from brines that embed natural salt flats and salt marshes, the procedure wherein the following stages are comprised: a) building fractional crystallization ponds by solar evaporation; b) filling the ponds with natural brine; c) initially pre-concentrating natural brine to the maximum possible lithium concentration in the liquid phase without precipitating lithium-containing salts; d) cooling the pre-concentrated brine obtained in c) ensuring maximum precipitation of salts containing sulfate anion; e) chemically pre-treating the liquid phase of brine separated from precipitated salts by cooling to minimize sulfate anions in the liquid phase after cooling; f) finally pre-concentrating the pre-treated liquid phase to the maximum possible lithium concentration in it without precipitating lithium-containing salts; g) chemically treating the liquid phase of brine separated from precipitated salts at the stage f) to minimize the concentration of magnesium, calcium, boron and sulfate in the liquid phase; and h) concentrating the liquid phase obtained at the stage g).

A procedure of minimum environmental impact and maximum lithium recovery for obtaining concentrated brines with minimal impurity content from brines that embed natural salt flats and salt marshes, the procedure wherein the following stages are comprised: a) building fractional crystallization ponds by solar evaporation; b) filling the ponds with natural brine; c) initially pre-concentrating natural brine to the maximum possible lithium concentration in the liquid phase without precipitating lithium-containing salts; d) cooling the pre-concentrated brine obtained in c) ensuring maximum precipitation of salts containing sulfate anion; e) chemically pre-treating the liquid phase of brine separated from precipitated salts by cooling to minimize sulfate anions in the liquid phase after cooling; f) finally pre-concentrating the pre-treated liquid phase to the maximum possible lithium concentration in it without precipitating lithium-containing salts; g) chemically treating the liquid phase of brine separated from precipitated salts at the stage f) to minimize the concentration of magnesium, calcium, boron and sulfate in the liquid phase; and h) concentrating the liquid phase obtained at the stage g).

The present disclosure relates to a method for treating an electromembrane process aqueous composition comprising sodium and/or potassium sulfate, said process comprising removing water from said electromembrane process aqueous composition under conditions suitable for substantially selectively precipitating sodium and/or potassium sulfate monohydrate.

The present disclosure relates to a method for treating an electromembrane process aqueous composition comprising sodium and/or potassium sulfate, said process comprising removing water from said electromembrane process aqueous composition under conditions suitable for substantially selectively precipitating sodium and/or potassium sulfate monohydrate.

A sublimation/distillation apparatus including a crucible with an open end, a heating device thermally coupled to the crucible, an actively cooled collection substrate disposed above the open end of the crucible, and a vacuum chamber housing the crucible, the heating device, and the actively cooled collection substrate.

The present disclosure relates to a metal recovery process comprising a solvent extraction process. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a plant with a first and second circuit. A high-grade pregnant leach solution (HGPLS) is provided to the first and second circuit, and a low-grade pregnant leach solution (LGPLS) is provided to the second circuit. The first circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can be forwarded to a primary metal recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which can be forwarded to a secondary metal recovery process. The second circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can also be forwarded to the primary metal recovery process. The first and second circuits are in fluid communication with each other.