THE RECOVERY OF ZINC FROM THE LEACH LIQUORS OF THE CENIM-LNETI PROCESS BY SOLVENT-EXTRACTION WITH DI(-2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHOSPHORIC-ACID

The recovery and purification of zinc from the leach liquors of the CE NIM-LNETI process is performed in a countercurrent arrangement with 0. 6 M (20% v/v) D2EHPA in a kerosene type diluent modified with 8% (v/v) isodecanol. The process includes 2 extraction, 2 scrubbing, 3 water w ashing and 3 stripping stages. Some co-extraction of minor elements oc curs, calcium being the metal most co-extracted. A separate batch co-e xtraction study, including Ca, Cu, ph, Mg, Cd, Co, Ni and Hg in the pr esence of Zn, has been made. Impurity removal was very efficient and o nly very low contamination in the high zinc loaded organic phase and p regnant electrolyte was detected.