Selective leaching of a mixed nickel-cobalt hydroxide precipitate in sulphuric acid solution with potassium permanganate as oxidant

Selective leaching of a mixed nickel-cobalt hydroxide precipitate was investigated using potassium permanganate as oxidant in sulfuric acid solution. 94.9% Ni, 50% Co and 0.6% Mn were dissolved under the following conditions: sulfuric acid concentration of 0.75 M, potassium permanganate of 5 g/L, temperature of 30 degrees C, leaching duration of 60 min, solid-to-liquid ratio of 1/10, and stirring speed of 400rpm. The pregnant leach solution was subjected to a solvent extraction process. 98% Co and 99% Mn were extracted at pH 4.84 with 30% (v/v) Cyanex 272, leaving essentially all nickel in the raffinate. Based on the experimental results, a flowsheet is proposed.