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WO2013016813A1 - Procédé pour la récupération de métaux par réduction et carbonylation - Google Patents

Procédé pour la récupération de métaux par réduction et carbonylation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013016813A1
WO2013016813A1 PCT/CA2012/000734 CA2012000734W WO2013016813A1 WO 2013016813 A1 WO2013016813 A1 WO 2013016813A1 CA 2012000734 W CA2012000734 W CA 2012000734W WO 2013016813 A1 WO2013016813 A1 WO 2013016813A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
material composition
metal material
fraction
carbonylation
solid particulate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/CA2012/000734
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Dmitri Terekhov
Victor Emmanuel Nanthakumar
Kamran KHOZAN
Colwyn VAN DER LINDE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CVMR Corp
Original Assignee
CVMR Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CVMR Corp filed Critical CVMR Corp
Priority to EP20120819996 priority Critical patent/EP2739759A4/fr
Priority to CA2843760A priority patent/CA2843760A1/fr
Publication of WO2013016813A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013016813A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Priority to US14/531,942 priority patent/US20150053049A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B11/00—Obtaining noble metals
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21B—MANUFACTURE OF IRON OR STEEL
    • C21B13/00—Making spongy iron or liquid steel, by direct processes
    • C21B13/006—Starting from ores containing non ferrous metallic oxides
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21B—MANUFACTURE OF IRON OR STEEL
    • C21B15/00—Other processes for the manufacture of iron from iron compounds
    • C21B15/04—Other processes for the manufacture of iron from iron compounds from iron carbonyl
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B1/00—Preliminary treatment of ores or scrap
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B23/00—Obtaining nickel or cobalt
    • C22B23/06—Refining
    • C22B23/065—Refining carbonyl methods
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B5/00—General methods of reducing to metals
    • C22B5/02—Dry methods smelting of sulfides or formation of mattes
    • C22B5/20—Dry methods smelting of sulfides or formation of mattes from metal carbonyls
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B59/00—Obtaining rare earth metals
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B7/00—Working up raw materials other than ores, e.g. scrap, to produce non-ferrous metals and compounds thereof; Methods of a general interest or applied to the winning of more than two metals
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
    • Y02P10/10—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions
    • Y02P10/134—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions by avoiding CO2, e.g. using hydrogen

Definitions

  • the subject matter relates to processes for recovering precious metals or rare earth metals, or both.
  • Precious metals and rare earth metals are, currently, difficult to recover from materials, such as ore deposits, when present in low mass concentrations.
  • a process for treating a feed material composition includes contacting the feed material composition with a reducing agent in a reducing agent zone to effect production of a reaction intermediate material composition, wherein the feed material composition is configured to be separated into a target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction and one or more target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions, in response to application of a separation agent that is associated with a separation agent-responsive characteristic, such that the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction would become separated from the one or more target metal material-lean feed composition separation fractions, and such that one or more separations would be effected and each one of the one or more separations would be defined by the separation of the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction from a one of the one or more target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions, wherein each one of the one or more separations of the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction from a one of the one or more target metal material-lean feed material composition separation
  • the reaction intermediate material composition is contacted with carbon monoxide within a carbonylation zone so as to effect production of a post- carbonylation material composition, wherein the post-carbonylation material composition is configured to be separated into a target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction and one or more target metal material-lean post- carbonylation material composition separation fractions, in response to application of a separation agent that is associated with a separation agent-responsive characteristic, such that the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction would become separated from the one or more target metal material-lean post- carbonylation material composition separation fractions, and such that one or more separations would become effected and each one of the one or more separations would be defined by the separation of the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction from a one of the one or more target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fractions, wherein each one of the one or more separations of the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction from a one
  • the target metal material is defined by either one of: (i) one or more precious metals, or (ii) one or more rare earth metals.
  • a feed material composition including a solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction and a solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, wherein the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction includes one or more precious metals, and wherein the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction includes one or more rare earth metals.
  • the process includes contacting the solid particulate feed material composition with a reducing agent within a reducing agent contacting zone to effect production of a reaction intermediate solid particulate material composition.
  • the reaction intermediate solid particulate material composition is contacted with carbon monoxide within a carbonylation zone so as to effect production of a solid particulate post- carbonylation material composition.
  • a process for treating a solid particulate feed material composition includes contacting the solid particulate feed material composition with a reducing agent in a reducing agent contacting zone to effect production of a reaction intermediate solid particulate feed material composition, wherein the solid particulate feed material composition is derived from laterite ore.
  • the reaction intermediate solid particulate feed material composition is contacted with carbon monoxide within a carbonylation zone so as to effect production of a solid particulate post- carbonylation material composition.
  • a process for treating material derived from a sulphide ore includes contacting a sulphide ore-derived pre-cursor material with an oxidizing agent to effect production of a sulphide ore-derived solid particulate feed material composition.
  • the sulphide ore-derived solid particulate feed material composition is contacted with a reducing agent in a reducing agent contacting zone to effect production of a reaction intermediate solid particulate feed material composition.
  • the reaction intermediate solid particulate feed material composition is contacted with carbon monoxide within a carbonylation zone so as to effect production of a solid particulate post-carbonylation material composition.
  • Figure 1 is a flowsheet illustrating an embodiment of the process; and [0010] Figure 2 is another flowsheet illustrating another embodiment of the process.
  • a process for treating a feed material composition 22 is provided so as to facilitate separation of target metal material from the feed material composition 22.
  • the target metal material is defined by either one of: (i) one or more precious metals, or (ii) one or more rare earth metals.
  • the feed material composition is a solid material composition.
  • the precious metal is any one of platinum(Pt), palladium(Pd), iridium(Ir), rhodium(Rh), ruthenium(Ru), osmium (Os), gold (Au), rhenium (Re), and silver (Ag).
  • the rare earth metal is any one of scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and lutetium (Lu).
  • Sc scandium
  • Y yttrium
  • La lanthanum
  • Ce cerium
  • Pr praseodymium
  • Nd neodymium
  • Pm promethium
  • Sm samarium
  • Eu europium
  • Gd gadolinium
  • Tb terbium
  • Dy dysprosium
  • Ho holmium
  • Er erbium
  • Tm
  • the feed material composition 22 is contacted with a reducing agent within a reducing agent contacting zone 20 to effect production of a reaction intermediate material composition 30.
  • suitable reducing agents include gaseous diatomic hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
  • the reducing agent contacting zone 20 is disposed at a temperature of between 550 degrees Celsius and 850 degrees Celsius, and at a pressure of between one (1) and 12 bars. In some of these embodiments, for example, the reducing agent contacting zone 20 is disposed at a temperature of about 650 degrees Celsius.
  • the feed material composition 22 is configured to be separated into a target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction and one or more target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions, in response to application of a separation agent that is associated with a separation agent-responsive characteristic, such that the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction would become separated from the one or more target metal material-lean feed composition separation fractions, and such that one or more separations would be effected and each one of the one or more separations would be defined by the separation of the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction from a one of the one or more target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions, wherein each one of the one or more separations of the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction from a one of the one or more target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions would be, at least partially, based on a difference between a value of a separation agent-responsive characteristic of the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction and a value of the separation agent-responsive characteristic of the
  • the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be less than the mass concentration of the target metal material of the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction. Also for each one of the one or more feed material composition separation fraction pairs, the absolute value of the difference between a value of the separation agent-responsive characteristic of the target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction and a value of the separation agent-responsive characteristic of the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction would be less than a maximum operative difference.
  • the value of the separation agent-responsive characteristic of the target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be greater than the value of the separation agent-responsive characteristic of the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction. In some embodiments, for example, for each one of the one or more feed material composition separation fraction pairs, the value of the separation agent-responsive characteristic of the target metal material- lean feed material composition separation fraction would be less than the value of the separation agent-responsive characteristic of the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction.
  • the separation agent is any material input, any energy input, or any combination thereof.
  • the separation agent is an energy input effected by a gravitational force.
  • the separation agent is an energy input effected by a magnetic force.
  • the separation agent-responsive characteristic is a characteristic or quality of a material.
  • a separation agent is said to be associated with a separation agent-responsive characteristic when application of the separation agent to the material, having material fractions with distinct separation agent-responsive characteristic, effects a response, whereby the material fractions respond differently to the energy input such that separation of the material fractions, from one another, is effected.
  • the separation agent is an energy input effected by gravitational force, and the separation agent-responsive characteristic is density.
  • the separation agent is an energy input effected by magnetic force, and the separation agent-responsive characteristic is magnetic field.
  • the contacting with the reducing agent effects reduction of iron and nickel of the feed material composition 22.
  • the contacting with the reducing agent effects reduction of iron of an iron oxide of the feed material composition 22.
  • the contacting with the reducing agent effects reduction of nickel of a nickel oxide of the feed material composition 22.
  • the feed material composition 22 is derived from an ore.
  • the ore is laterite 16.
  • the ore is dried and subjected to size reduction (for example, by milling) prior to being subjected to the contacting with the reducing agent.
  • NiO + H 2 - Ni + H 2 0
  • the reaction intermediate material composition 30 may, optionally, be contacted with a sulphur comprising-material, such as gaseous hydrogen sulphide, so as to convert copper within the reaction intermediate material composition 30 to copper sulphide. Excessive copper within the carbonylation supply material composition 104 to the carbonylation zone 1 12 may, in some embodiments, interfere with carbonylation.
  • a sulphur comprising-material such as gaseous hydrogen sulphide
  • the feed material composition 22 includes treated pre-cursor solid metal sulphide-comprising material 14 produced by contacting of a pre-cursor solid metal sulphide-comprising material 12, such as a size-reduced sulphide ore, with an oxidizing agent within an oxidizing agent contacting zone 10.
  • a pre-cursor solid metal sulphide-comprising material 12 such as a size-reduced sulphide ore
  • the process further includes contacting of a pre-cursor solid metal sulphide-comprising material 12 with an oxidizing agent within an oxidizing agent contacting zone 10 to effect production of a treated pre-cursor solid metal sulphide-comprising material 14, wherein the solid particulate feed material composition 22 includes the treated pre-cursor solid metal sulphide material 14.
  • the oxidizing agent contacting zone 10 is disposed at a temperature of between 850 degrees Celsius and 1400 degrees Celsius (such as between 1000 degrees Celsius and 1 100 degrees Celsius) and at a pressure of between one (1) and two (2) bars (such as atmospheric pressure).
  • the process 100, 102 further includes contacting the carbonylation supply material composition 104 with carbon monoxide in a carbonylation zone 1 10 so as to effect production of a post-carbonylation material composition 112.
  • the carbonylation supply material composition 104 is in the form of a solid particulate, and at least 90 weight % of the solid particulate carbonylation material composition has a particle size of less than one (1) millimetre measured using a Fisher Sub- Sieve Sizer (FSSS).
  • FSSS Fisher Sub- Sieve Sizer
  • the solid particulate carbonylation material composition has a particle size of about 50 microns measured using a Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer (FSSS).
  • the post-carbonylation material composition 112 is configured to be separated into a target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 (or 124) and one or more target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fractions 124 (or 122), in response to application of a separation agent that is associated with a separation agent-responsive characteristic, such that the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 (or 124) would become separated from the one or more target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fractions 124 (or 122), and such that one or more separations would become effected and each one of the one or more separations would be defined by the separation of the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 (or 124) from a one of the one or more target metal material -lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fractions 124 (or 122), wherein each one of the one or more separations of the target metal material-rich post- carbonylation material composition separation fraction
  • the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124 (or 122) would be less than the mass concentration of the target metal material of the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 (or 124).
  • the absolute value of the difference between a value of the separation agent-responsive characteristic of the target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124 (or 122) and a value of the separation agent-responsive characteristic of the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 (or 124) would be greater than or equal to the maximum operative difference.
  • the value of the separation agent-responsive characteristic of the target metal material- lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124 would be greater than the value of the separation agent-responsive characteristic of the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 (or 124). In some embodiments, for example, for each one of the one or more post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction pairs, the value of the separation agent-responsive characteristic of the target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124 (or 122) would be less than the value of the separation agent- responsive characteristic of the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 (or 124).
  • the carbonylation zone is disposed at a pressure of between 5 bar and 60 bar, and at a temperature of between 80 degrees Celsius and 120 degrees Celsius.
  • Exemplary reactions within the carbonylation zone include the following: Fe + 5 CO - Fe(CO) 5 Ni + 4 CO -> Ni(CO) 4
  • the contacting of the carbonylation supply material composition 104 with the carbon monoxide effects liberation of carbon monoxide- reactive metal material from the carbonylation supply material composition 104.
  • the carbon monoxide-reactive metal material is defined by one or more carbon monoxide- reactive metals.
  • the carbon monoxide-reactive metal material is at least one of nickel, iron, and cobalt.
  • the contacting with the carbon monoxide further effects production of a metal- comprising gaseous material including carbon monoxide-reactive metal material whose liberation from the carbonylation supply material composition is effected by the contacting.
  • the metal-comprising gaseous material includes at least one metal carbonyl.
  • the metal- comprising gaseous material includes any one of, or any combination of nickel carbonyl, iron carbonyl, and cobalt carbonyl.
  • the metal-comprising gaseous material is extracted from the post-carbonylation product material, and then subjected to fractional distillation so as to effect separation of an iron carbonyl-rich fraction 132 and a nickel carbonyl-rich fraction 134 from the metal-comprising gaseous material, such that the iron carbonyl-rich fraction 132 and the nickel carbonyl-rich fraction 134 become separated.
  • each one of the iron carbonyl-rich fraction 132 and the nickel carbonyl-rich fraction 142 is supplied to a respective decomposition zone 140, 142 so as to effect its respective decomposition into a substantially pure form of the respective metal (ie.
  • each of the decomposition zones is disposed at a temperature of between 220 degrees Celsius and 500 degrees Celsius, which is sufficient to effect the decompositions.
  • Exemplary reactions within the decomposition zones 140, 142 include the following:
  • the target metal material, of the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction is one or more precious metals, such that the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction would be a precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 including the one or more precious metals.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124 would be less than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122.
  • the one or more target metal material-lean post- carbonylation material composition separation fractions 124 is a rare earth metal material- rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124 including one or more rare earth metals.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth rare earth metals of the rare earth metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124 would be greater than the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122.
  • the target metal material, of the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction is one or more rare earth metals, such that the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction would be a rare earth metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124 including the one or more rare earth metals.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 would be less than the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124.
  • the one or more target metal material-lean post- carbonylation material composition separation fractions 122 is a precious metal material- rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 including one or more precious metals.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 would be greater than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the rare earth metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124.
  • the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction would be less than the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction by at least 25%. In some embodiments, for example, for each one of the one or more post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction pairs, the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction would be less than the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction by at least 50%.
  • the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction would be less than the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction by at least 75%.
  • the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be less than the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction by at least 25%. In some embodiments, for example, for each one of the one or more feed material composition separation fraction pairs, the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be less than the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction by at least 50%.
  • the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be less than the mass concentration of target metal material of the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction by at least 75%.
  • the one or more target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fractions 124 (or 122), from which the target metal material -rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 (or 124) is separable define the remainder of the post-carbonylation material composition 112.
  • the one or more target metal-lean feed material composition separation fractions, from which the target metal-rich feed material composition separation fraction becomes separated upon separation of the target metal-rich feed material composition separation fraction from the feed material composition 22, define the remainder of the feed material composition 22.
  • the feed material composition 22 is defined by solid particulate material, such that the feed material composition 22 is a solid particulate feed material composition 22, and such that the target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction, which is separable from the solid particulate feed material composition 22, is defined by solid particulate material, such that the target metal material- rich feed material composition separation fraction is a solid particulate target metal material- rich feed material composition separation fraction.
  • each one of the one or more target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions is defined by solid particulate material, such that each one of the one or more target metal material- lean feed material composition separation fractions is a solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction.
  • the mass concentration of target metal material of the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be less than the mass concentration of target metal material of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction.
  • the solid particulate target metal material- rich feed material composition separation fraction would include a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the target metal material, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the target metal material, of every other fraction of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction, would be either the same or less
  • the one or more solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions would include a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the target metal material, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the target metal material, of every other fraction of the one or more solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions, would be either greater or the same, and, for each one of the one or more feed material composition separation fraction pairs, the minimum mass concentration, of the target metal material, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction, would be greater than the maximum mass concentration, of the target metal material, of the
  • At least 90 weight % of the solid particulate feed material composition material 104 has a particle size of less than one (1 ) millimetre measured using a Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer (FSSS).
  • FSSS Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer
  • the solid particulate feed material composition has a particle size of about 50 microns measured using a Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer (FSSS).
  • the post-carbonylation material composition 120 is defined by solid particulate material, such that the post-carbonylation material composition 120 is a solid particulate post-carbonylation material composition 120, and such that the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction, which is separable from the solid particulate post-carbonylation material composition 22, is defined by solid particulate material, such that the target metal material- rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction is a solid particulate target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction.
  • each one of the one or more target metal material-lean post- carbonylation material composition separation fractions is defined by solid particulate material, such that each one of the one or more target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions is a solid particulate target metal material-lean post- carbonylation material composition separation fraction.
  • the mass concentration of target metal material of the solid particulate target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction would be less than the mass concentration of target metal material of the solid particulate target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction.
  • the solid particulate target metal material- rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction would include a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the target metal material, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the target metal material, of every other fraction of the solid particulate target metal material-rich post- carbonylation material composition separation fraction, would be either the same or less
  • the one or more solid particulate target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fractions would include a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the target metal material, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the target metal material, of every other fraction of the one or more solid particulate target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fractions, would be either greater or the same, and, for each one of the one or more post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction pairs, the mimimum mass concentration, of the target metal material, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate target metal material-rich
  • At least 90 weight % of the solid particulate post-carbonylation material composition 120 has a particle size of less than one (1) millimetre, measured using a Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer (FSSS).
  • FSSS Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer
  • the solid particulate post-carbonylation material composition 120 has a particle size of about 50 microns, measured using a Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer (FSSS).
  • the target metal material is defined by one or more precious metals, and, for each one of the one or more feed material composition separation fraction pairs, the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be less than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction would be greater than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction would include a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction, would be either the same or less
  • the one or more solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions would include a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the one or more solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions, would be either greater or the same, and, for each one of the one or more feed material composition separation fraction pairs, the minimum mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction, would be greater than the maximum
  • the mass concentration of carbon monoxide-reactive metal material of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction would be greater than the mass concentration of carbon monoxide-reactive metal material of the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction.
  • the mass concentration of carbon monoxide-reactive metal material of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction would be greater than the mass concentration of carbon monoxide- reactive metal material of the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions, by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • each one of the one or more target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions is a rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction including one or more rare earth metals, and, for each one of the one or more feed material composition separation fraction pairs, the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be greater than the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be greater than the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the one or more solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions would include a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the one or more solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions, would be either greater or the same
  • the solid particulate target metal material- rich feed material composition separation fraction would include a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction, would be either greater or the same, and, for each one of the one or more feed material composition separation fraction pairs, the minimum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the one or more solid particulate target metal material- lean feed material composition separation
  • the target metal material is defined by one or more rare earth metals, and, for each one of the one or more feed material composition separation fraction pairs, the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be less than the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction would be greater than the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction would include a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction, would be either the same or less
  • the one or more solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions would include a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the one or more solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions, would be either greater or the same, and, for each one of the one or more feed material composition separation fraction pairs, the minimum mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction, would be either greater or the same,
  • the mass concentration of carbon monoxide-reactive metal material of the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be greater than the mass concentration of carbon monoxide-reactive metal material of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction.
  • the mass concentration of carbon monoxide-reactive metal material of the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be greater than the mass concentration of carbon monoxide- reactive metal material of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fractions, by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • each one of the one or more target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions would be a precious metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction including one or more precious metals, and, for each one of the one or more feed material composition separation fraction pairs, the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be greater than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fraction would be greater than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the one or more solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions would include a minimum mass concentration- defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the one or more solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions, would be either greater or the same
  • the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction would include a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction, would be either greater or the same, and, for each one of the one or more feed material composition separation fraction pairs, the minimum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the one or more solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition separation fractions, is
  • one of: (i) a solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition fraction of the solid particulate feed material composition 22, and (ii) a solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition fraction of the solid particulate feed material composition 22, is defined by a solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction including one or more rare earth metals
  • the other one of (i) the solid particulate target metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, and (ii) the solid particulate target metal material-lean feed material composition fraction is defined by a solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction including one or more precious metals.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction.
  • the mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, by at least 25%, such as, for example, by at least 50%, or, such as, for example, by at least 75%.
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction includes a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, is either the same or less
  • the solid particulate rare earth material-rich feed material composition fraction includes a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, is either greater or the same
  • the minimum mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the maximum mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the maximum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition
  • the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction.
  • the mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, within the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, by at least 25%, such as, for example, by at least 50%, or, such as, for example, by at least 75%.
  • the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction includes a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, is either the same or less
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction includes a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the one or more solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, is either greater or the same
  • the minimum mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the maximum mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the maximum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid part
  • the mass concentration of an operative metal material fraction of the solid particulate precious metal-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration of the operative metal material fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal -rich feed material composition fraction.
  • the operative metal material fraction is defined by copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and precious metals.
  • the mass concentration, of the operative metal material fraction, of the solid particulate precious metal-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration, of the operative metal material fraction, of the solid particulate rare earth metal-rich feed material composition fraction, by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the solid particulate precious metal-rich feed material composition fraction includes: (i) at least 1 X 10 "6 weight % of one or more precious metals, based on the total weight of the precious metal-rich feed material composition fraction, (ii) at least 50 weight % of one or more metals selected from the group consisting of nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co) and copper (Cu), based on the total weight of the precious metal-rich feed material composition fraction, (iii) less than weight 1 X 10 "6 % of one or more rare earth metals, based on the total weight of the precious metal-rich feed material composition fraction, (iv) less than 40 weight % of one or more operative oxides, based on the total weight of the precious metal-rich feed material composition fraction, wherein each operative oxide is an oxide of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of aluminium (Al), silicon (Si), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), and manganes
  • the reaction intermediate material composition 30 is defined by a solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction and a solid particulate rare earth metal material- rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction.
  • the mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction includes a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, is either the same or less
  • the solid particulate rare earth material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction includes a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, is either greater or the same
  • the minimum mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the maximum mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the maximum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material
  • the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction.
  • the mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction includes a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material- rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, is either the same or less
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction includes a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the one or more solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, is either greater or the same
  • the minimum mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the maximum mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the maximum mass concentration-defining
  • the mass concentration of non-oxygen bonded metal material of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration of non- oxygen bonded metal material of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction.
  • Non-oxygen bonded metal material is defined by any metal that is not chemically bonded to an oxygen atom.
  • the mass concentration of oxygen of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is less than the mass concentration of oxygen of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction.
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction includes: (i) at least 1 X 10 "6 weight % of one or more precious metals, based on the total weight of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, (ii) at least 15 weight % of one or more metals selected from the group consisting of nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co) and copper (Cu), based on the total weight of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, (iii) less than 1 X 10 ⁇ 6 weight % of one or more rare earth metals, based on the total weight of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, (iv) less than 15 weight % of one or more operative oxides, based on the total weight of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, wherein each operative oxide is an oxide of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of aluminium
  • the process further includes separating the target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction from the one or more target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fractions.
  • the separation agent-responsive characteristic is density
  • the separating of the target metal material-rich post- carbonylation material composition separation fraction from the one or more target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fractions is effected by gravity separation.
  • the separation agent-responsive characteristic is magnetic field
  • the separating of the target metal material-rich post- carbonylation material composition separation fraction from the one or more target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fractions is effected by magnetic separation.
  • the separation agent-responsive characteristic is density
  • the separating of the target metal material-rich post- carbonylation material composition separation fraction from the one or more target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material composition separation fractions is effected by flotation.
  • one of: (i) a solid particulate target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material separation fraction, and (ii) a solid particulate target metal material-lean post-carbonylation material separation fraction is defined by a rare earth metal material-rich material composition 124 including one or more rare earth metals
  • the other one of (i) the solid particulate target metal material-rich post-carbonylation material separation fraction, and (ii) the solid particulate target metal material-lean post- carbonylation material separation fraction is defined by a precious metal material-rich material composition 122 including one or more precious metals.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the precious metal material-rich material composition 122 is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the rare earth metal-rich material composition 124. In some embodiments, the mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the precious metal material-rich material composition 122 is greater than the mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the rare earth metal material-rich material composition 124, by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the precious metal material-rich material composition 122 includes a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the precious metal material-rich material composition 122, is either the same or less
  • the rare earth material-rich material composition 124 includes a maximum mass concentration- defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the rare earth metal material-rich material composition 124, is either greater or the same
  • the minimum mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the precious metal material-rich material composition 122 is greater than the maximum mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the maximum mass concentration-defining fraction of the rare earth metal material-rich material composition 124.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the rare earth metal material-rich material composition 124 is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the precious metal material-rich material composition 122. In some embodiments, the mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the rare earth metal material-rich material composition 124 is greater than the mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the precious metal material-rich material composition 122, by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the rare earth metal material-rich material composition 124 includes a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the rare earth metal material-rich material composition 124, is either the same or less
  • the precious metal material-rich material composition 122 includes a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the precious metal material-rich material composition 122, is either greater or the same
  • the minimum mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the minimum mass concentration- defining fraction of the rare earth metal material-rich material composition fraction 124 is greater than the maximum mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the maximum mass concentration-defining fraction of the precious metal material-rich material composition 122.
  • the rare earth material-rich material composition 124 is extracted and subjected to a leaching process within a leaching zone 130 to effect recovery of the rare earth metals.
  • the target metal material may not necessarily be the only metal, or combination of metals, which are intended to be recovered from the feed material composition 22.
  • the precious metal material-rich material composition 122 is subjected to further treatment to effect production of a precious metal concentrated product.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the precious metal concentrated product is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the precious metal material-rich material composition 122.
  • the precious metal material-rich material composition 122 is supplied to a secondary carbonylation zone 150 and contacted with carbon monoxide within the secondary carbonylation zone so as to effect production of a post-secondary carbonylation product material including: (i) a post-secondary carbonylation metal-comprising gaseous material, and (ii) a metal-depleted post-carbonylation precious metal-rich fraction 152.
  • At least one metal of the post-secondary carbonylation metal-comprising gaseous material is a carbon monoxide-reactive metal that is liberated from the precious metal material-rich material composition 122 during the contacting.
  • the mass concentration of precious metal material, defined by one or more precious metals, of the metal-depleted post-carbonylation precious metal-rich fraction 152 is greater than the mass concentration of precious metal material, defined by one or more precious metals, of the precious metal material-rich material composition 122.
  • the precious metal material-rich material composition 122 may, optionally, be contacted with a sulphur comprising-material, such as gaseous hydrogen sulphide, so as to convert copper within the material 122 to copper sulphide. Excessive copper within the composition 122 may, in some embodiments, interfere with carbonylation.
  • the metal-depleted post-carbonylation precious metal- rich fraction 152 is subjected to further treatment in unit operation 160 (for example, by contacting with aqua regia) to effect recovery of the precious metals.
  • the carbon monoxide-reactive metal which is a metal of the post-secondary carbonylation metal-comprising gaseous material, is a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel and iron.
  • the post-secondary carbonylation metal- comprising gaseous material includes at least one metal carbonyl.
  • the post-secondary carbonylation metal-comprising gaseous material includes nickel carbonyl, or iron carbonyl, or both of nickel carbonyl and iron carbonyl.
  • the post-secondary carbonylation metal- comprising gaseous material is extracted from the post-carbonylation product material, and then subjected to fractional distillation so as to effect separation of an iron carbonyl-rich fraction 172 and a nickel carbonyl-rich fraction 174 from the metal-comprising gaseous material.
  • each one of the iron carbonyl-rich fraction and the nickel carbonyl-rich fraction is supplied to a respective decomposition zone 140, 142, so as to effect its respective decomposition into a substantially pure form of the respective metal, as described above (ie.
  • each of the decomposition zones 140, 142 is disposed at a temperature of between 220 degrees Celsius and 500 degrees Celsius, which is sufficient to effect the decompositions.
  • the solid particulate feed material composition 22 includes a solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction and a solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction.
  • at least 90 weight % of the solid particulate feed material composition 22 has a particle size of less than one (1) millimetre, measured using a Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer (FSSS).
  • FSSS Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer
  • the solid particulate feed material composition has a particle size of about 50 microns, measured using a Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer (FSSS).
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction includes one or more precious metals, and the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction includes one or more rare earth metals.
  • the precious metal is any one of platinum(Pt), palladium(Pd), iridium(Ir), rhodium(Rh), ruthenium(Ru), osmium (Os), gold (Au), rhenium (Re), and silver (Ag).
  • the rare earth metal is any one of scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and lutetium (Lu).
  • Sc scandium
  • Y yttrium
  • La lanthanum
  • Ce cerium
  • Pr praseodymium
  • Nd neodymium
  • Pm promethium
  • Sm samarium
  • Eu europium
  • Gd gadolinium
  • Tb terbium
  • Dy dysprosium
  • Ho holmium
  • Er erbium
  • Tm
  • the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction.
  • the mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, by at least 25%, such as, for example, by at least 50%, or, such as, for example, by at least 75%.
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction includes a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, is either the same or less
  • the solid particulate rare earth material-rich feed material composition fraction includes a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, is either greater or the same
  • the minimum mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the maximum mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the maximum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition
  • the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction.
  • the mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, within the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, by at least 25%, such as, for example, by at least 50%, or, such as, for example, by at least 75%.
  • the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction includes a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, is either the same or less
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction includes a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the one or more solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, is either greater or the same
  • the minimum mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the maximum mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the maximum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid part
  • the mass concentration of an operative metal material fraction of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration of the operative metal material fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction.
  • the operative metal material fraction is defined by copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and one or more precious metals.
  • the mass concentration, of the operative metal material fraction, of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration, of the operative metal material fraction, of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, by at least 100%., such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the solid particulate precious metal material -rich feed material composition fraction includes: (i) at least 1 X 10 "6 weight % of one or more precious metals, based on the total weight of the solid particulate precious metal material -rich feed material composition fraction, (ii) at least 50 weight % of one or more metals selected from the group consisting of nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co) and copper (Cu), based on the total weight of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, (iii) less than weight 1 X 10 "6 % of one or more rare earth metals, based on the total weight of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, (iv) less than 40 weight % of one or more operative oxides, based on the total weight of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich feed material composition fraction, wherein each operative oxide is an oxide of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of aluminium (A
  • the solid particulate feed material composition 22 is derived from an ore.
  • the ore is laterite 16.
  • the ore is dried and subjected to size reduction (for example, by milling) prior to being subjected to the contacting with the reducing agent.
  • the solid particulate feed material composition 22 includes treated pre-cursor solid metal sulphide-comprising material 14 produced by contacting of a pre-cursor solid metal sulphide-comprising material 12, such as a size-reduced sulphide ore, with an oxidizing agent within an oxidizing agent contacting zone 10.
  • a pre-cursor solid metal sulphide-comprising material 12 such as a size-reduced sulphide ore
  • the process further includes contacting of a pre-cursor solid metal sulphide- comprising material 12 with an oxidizing agent within an oxidizing agent contacting zone 10 to effect production of a treated pre-cursor solid metal sulphide-comprising material 14, such that the solid particulate feed material composition 22 includes the treated pre-cursor solid metal sulphide material 14.
  • the oxidizing agent contacting zone 10 is disposed at a temperature of between 850 degrees Celsius and 1400 degrees Celsius (such as between 1000 degrees Celsius and 1 100 degrees Celsius) and at a pressure of between one (1) and two (2) bars (such as atmospheric pressure).
  • the solid particulate feed material composition 22 is contacted with a reducing agent within a reducing agent contacting zone 20 to effect production of a reaction intermediate solid particulate material composition 30.
  • suitable reducing agents include gaseous diatomic hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
  • the reducing agent contacting zone 20 is disposed at a temperature of between 550 degrees Celsius and 850 degrees Celsius, and at a pressure of between one (1) and 12 bars. In some of these embodiments, for example, the reducing agent contacting zone 20 is disposed at a temperature of about 650 degrees Celsius.
  • the contacting with the reducing agent effects reduction of iron and nickel of the solid particulate feed material composition 22.
  • the contacting with the reducing agent effects reduction of iron of an iron oxide of the solid particulate feed material composition 22.
  • the contacting with the reducing agent effects reduction of nickel of a nickel oxide of the solid particulate feed material composition 22.
  • the reaction intermediate solid particulate material composition 30 includes a solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction and a solid particulate rare earth metal material- rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction.
  • the mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction includes a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, is either the same or less
  • the solid particulate rare earth material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction includes a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, is either greater or the same
  • the minimum mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the maximum mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the maximum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material
  • the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction.
  • the mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction includes a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material- rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, is either the same or less
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction includes a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the one or more solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, is either greater or the same
  • the minimum mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the maximum mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of the maximum mass concentration-defining
  • the mass concentration of non-oxygen bonded metal material of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is greater than the mass concentration of non- oxygen bonded metal material of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction.
  • Non-oxygen bonded metal material is defined by at least one operative metallic element, wherein each one of the at least one operative metallic element is not chemically bonded to an oxygen atom.
  • the mass concentration of oxygen of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction is less than the mass concentration of oxygen of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction.
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction includes: (i) at least 1 X 10 "6 weight % of one or more precious metals, based on the total weight of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, (ii) at least 15 weight % of one or more metals selected from the group consisting of nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co) and copper (Cu), based on the total weight of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, (iii) less than 1 X 10 "6 weight % of one or more rare earth metals, based on the total weight of the solid particulate precious metal material- rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, (iv) less than 15 weight % of one or more
  • the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction includes: (i) at least 3 X 10 "6 weight % of one or more rare earth metals, based on the total weight of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, (ii) at least 70 weight % of one or more operative oxides, based on the total weight of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, wherein each operative oxide is an oxide of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of aluminium (Al), silicon (Si), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn), (iii) less than 1 X 10 "7 weight % of one or more precious metals, based on the total weight of the solid particulate rare earth metal material- rich reaction intermediate material composition fraction, and (iv) less than 15 weight % of one or more operative metals selected from the group consisting of nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co) and copper (
  • reaction intermediate material composition 30 may, optionally, be contacted with a sulphur comprising-material, such as gaseous hydrogen sulphide, so as to convert copper within the reaction intermediate material composition 30 to copper sulphide. Excessive copper within the carbonylation supply material composition 104 to the carbonylation zone 1 12 may, in some embodiments, interfere with carbonylation.
  • a sulphur comprising-material such as gaseous hydrogen sulphide
  • the process 100, 102 further includes contacting the carbonylation supply material composition 104 with carbon monoxide in a carbonylation zone 1 10 so as to effect production of a post-carbonylation material composition 1 12.
  • at least 90 weight % of the solid particulate post-carbonylation material composition 112 has a particle size of less than one (1) millimetre, measured using a Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer (FSSS).
  • FSSS Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer
  • the solid particulate post-carbonylation material composition 1 12 has a particle size of about 50 microns, measured using a Fisher Sub-Sieve Sizer (FSSS).
  • the carbonylation zone 1 12 is disposed at a pressure of between 5 bar and 60 bar, and at a temperature of between 80 degrees Celsius and 120 degrees Celsius.
  • Exemplary reactions within the carbonylation zone 1 12 include the following: Fe + 5 CO Fe(CO) 5 Ni + 4 CO -» Ni(CO) 4
  • the contacting of the solid particulate carbonylation supply material composition 104 with the carbon monoxide effects liberation of carbon monoxide-reactive metal material from the solid particulate carbonylation supply material composition 104.
  • the carbon monoxide-reactive metal material is defined by one or more carbon monoxide-reactive metals.
  • the carbon monoxide-reactive metal material is at least one of nickel, iron, and cobalt.
  • the contacting with the carbon monoxide further effects production of a metal-comprising gaseous material including carbon monoxide-reactive metal material whose liberation from the feed material composition is effected by the contacting.
  • the metal-comprising gaseous material includes at least one metal carbonyl.
  • the metal-comprising gaseous material includes any one, or any combination of nickel carbonyl, iron carbonyl, and cobalt carbonyl.
  • the metal-comprising gaseous material is extracted from the post-carbonylation product material, and then subjected to fractional distillation so as to effect separation of an iron carbonyl-rich fraction 132 and a nickel carbonyl-rich fraction 134 from the metal-comprising gaseous material.
  • each one of the iron carbonyl-rich fraction 132 and the nickel carbonyl-rich fraction 142 is supplied to a respective decomposition zone 140, 142 so as to effect its respective decomposition into a substantially pure form of the respective metal (ie.
  • each of the decomposition zones is disposed at a temperature of between 220 degrees Celsius and 500 degrees Celsius, which is sufficient to effect the decompositions.
  • Exemplary reactions within the decomposition zones 140, 142 include the following:
  • a solid particulate precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 and a solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124 are separated from the post- carbonylation material composition, such that the solid particulate precious metal material- rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 becomes separated from the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124.
  • the separation is effected by any one, or any combination of: gravity separation, magnetic separation, and flotation.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124. In some embodiments, the mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 is greater than the mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich post- carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124, by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich post- carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 includes a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122, is either the same or less
  • the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124 includes a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more precious metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124, is either greater or the same
  • the minimum mass concentration, of the one or more precious metals, of the minimum mass concentration-defining fraction of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich post- carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 is greater than the
  • the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124 is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122. In some embodiments, the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124 is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich post- carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 by at least 100%, such as, for example, by at least 200%, or, such as, for example, by at least 300%.
  • the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124 includes a minimum mass concentration-defining fraction including a minimum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 124, is either the same or less
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich post- carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 includes a maximum mass concentration-defining fraction including a maximum mass concentration of the one or more rare earth metals, which, relative to the respective mass concentration, of the one or more rare earth metals, of every other fraction of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122, is either greater or the same
  • the solid particulate rare earth metal material-rich feed material composition separation fraction 124 is extracted and subjected to a leaching process within a leaching zone 130 to effect recovery of the rare earth metals.
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 is subjected to further treatment to effect production of a precious metal concentrated product.
  • the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the precious metal concentrated product is greater than the mass concentration of the one or more precious metals of the solid particulate precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122.
  • the solid particulate precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 is supplied to a secondary carbonylation zone 150 and contacted with carbon monoxide within the secondary carbonylation zone so as to effect production of a post-secondary carbonylation product material including: (i) a post-secondary carbonylation metal-comprising gaseous material, and (ii) a metal-depleted post-carbonylation precious metal-rich fraction 152.
  • At least one metal of the post-secondary carbonylation metal-comprising gaseous material is a carbon monoxide-reactive metal that is liberated from the solid particulate precious metal material-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122 during the contacting.
  • the mass concentration of precious metal material, defined by one or more precious metals, of the metal-depleted post-carbonylation precious metal-rich fraction 152 is greater than the mass concentration of precious metal material, defined by one or more precious metals, of the solid particulate precious metal-rich post-carbonylation material composition separation fraction 122.
  • the composition 122 may, optionally, be contacted with a sulphur comprising-material, such as gaseous hydrogen sulphide, so as to convert copper within the solid material 122 to copper sulphide. Excessive copper within the composition 122 may, in some embodiments, interfere with carbonylation.
  • the metal-depleted post-carbonylation precious metal-rich fraction 152 is subjected to further treatment in unit operation 160 (for example, by contacting with aqua regia) to effect recovery of the precious metals.
  • the carbon monoxide-reactive metal which is a metal of the post-secondary carbonylation metal-comprising gaseous material, is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of nickel and iron.
  • the post-secondary carbonylation metal- comprising gaseous material includes at least one metal carbonyl.
  • the post-secondary carbonylation metal-comprising gaseous material includes nickel carbonyl, or iron carbonyl, or both of nickel carbonyl and iron carbonyl.
  • the post-secondary carbonylation metal- comprising gaseous material is extracted from the post-carbonylation product material, and then subjected to fractional distillation so as to effect separation of an iron carbonyl-rich fraction 172 and a nickel carbonyl-rich fraction 174 from the metal-comprising gaseous material.
  • each of the iron carbonyl-rich fraction and the nickel carbonyl-rich fraction is supplied to a respective decomposition zone 140, 142, so as to effect its respective decomposition into a substantially pure form of the respective metal, as described above (ie.
  • each of the decomposition zones 140, 142 is disposed at a temperature of between 220 degrees Celsius and 500 degrees Celsius, which is sufficient to effect the decompositions.
  • the residue from this run was magnetically separated using Davis Magnetic tube. 77g of the magnetic fraction was separated from the carbonyl residue, with a yield of 95 weight %. The magnetic fraction had 2.3 weight % nickel, 95 weight % iron, 2.86 weight % cobalt and 10 weight % copper, all of which are based on the total weight of the magnetic fraction. Also, 98 weight % of the total platinum group elements ("PGE" - for purposes of the examples set out herein, the samples were analyzed for only the following PGEs: gold, platinum and palladium), from the feed material (i.e. 2.0 ppm), was in the magnetic portion, and the concentration of PGE in the magnetic portion was 46.3 ppm (grams per tonne of the magnetic portion) in total.
  • PGE platinum group elements
  • the residue had 0.1 weight % nickel, 26.58 weight % cobalt, 60 weight % copper and 4.8 weight % of iron (all of which are based on the total weight of the residue) and 475 ppm (or grams per tonne of the residue) of PGE. This accounts for 98% of the PGE in the starting material.

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Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé de traitement d'une composition de matériau de base incluant une fraction de composition de matériau de base riche en matériau de métal précieux particulaire solide et une fraction de composition de matériau de base riche en matériau de métal de terres rares particulaire solide, la fraction de composition de matériau de base riche en matériau de métal précieux particulaire solide contenant un ou plusieurs métaux précieux et la fraction de composition de matériau de base riche en matériau de métal de terres rares particulaire solide incluant un ou plusieurs métaux des terres rares. Le procédé comprend la mise en contact de la composition de matériau de base particulaire solide avec un agent de réduction dans une zone de mise en contact avec un agent de réduction pour effectuer la production d'une composition de matériau particulaire solide intermédiaire de réaction. La composition de matériau particulaire solide intermédiaire de réaction est mise en contact avec du monoxyde de carbone dans une zone de carbonylation de manière à réaliser la production d'une composition de matériau de post-carbonylation particulaire solide.
PCT/CA2012/000734 2011-08-02 2012-08-02 Procédé pour la récupération de métaux par réduction et carbonylation Ceased WO2013016813A1 (fr)

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CA2843760A CA2843760A1 (fr) 2011-08-02 2012-08-02 Procede pour la recuperation de metaux par reduction et carbonylation
US14/531,942 US20150053049A1 (en) 2011-08-02 2014-11-03 Process for recovering metals by reduction and carbonylation

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US2793106A (en) * 1954-06-15 1957-05-21 Barium Steel Corp Method for refining titanium, zirconium, cerium, hafnium and thorium
GB856425A (en) * 1955-12-28 1960-12-14 Int Nickel Canada Improvements relating to the recovery of nickel from sulphide ores
CA898530A (en) * 1969-03-28 1972-04-25 E. O'neill Charles Nickel recovery from lateritic ores
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GB250726A (en) * 1925-03-06 1926-04-22 Louis Dudley Hooper Process for the separation and purification of platinum and other platinum metals from platiniferous ores and substances
GB769099A (en) * 1954-04-06 1957-02-27 Mond Nickel Co Ltd Improvements relating to the reduction of nickel oxide and the production of nickel carbonyl
LU62397A1 (fr) * 1970-01-19 1971-08-02
CN100999786A (zh) * 2006-12-29 2007-07-18 金川集团有限公司 一种从硫化铜镍矿中富集贵金属的方法
CA2585541C (fr) * 2007-04-20 2016-08-02 Chemical Vapour Metal Refining Inc. Appareil et procede de fabrication de nickel de grande purete
GB2449280B (en) * 2007-05-17 2012-12-19 Cvmr Corp Apparatus and process for making high purity nickel

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US2757077A (en) * 1953-06-12 1956-07-31 Crucible Steel Co America Method of recovering metallic values from ores containing iron and nickel
US2793106A (en) * 1954-06-15 1957-05-21 Barium Steel Corp Method for refining titanium, zirconium, cerium, hafnium and thorium
GB856425A (en) * 1955-12-28 1960-12-14 Int Nickel Canada Improvements relating to the recovery of nickel from sulphide ores
CA898530A (en) * 1969-03-28 1972-04-25 E. O'neill Charles Nickel recovery from lateritic ores
CN100999785A (zh) * 2006-12-29 2007-07-18 金川集团有限公司 一种富集铁精矿中贵金属的方法
US20080267810A1 (en) * 2007-04-24 2008-10-30 Walter Curlook Apparatus and process for making high purity nickel

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