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Abstract

In the extraction of certain non-ferrous metals from their sulfide ores by a process where these sulfides are converted to water soluble sulfates by roasting, alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate, especially sodium carbonate, is added to the roaster feed to promote the sulfatization reaction. Ores containing copper, nickel, cobalt or zinc sulfides are concentrated by froth flotation, the concentrate mixed with carbonate or bicarbonate and roasted. The roasted product is mixed with water to separate these metals as soluble sulfates from iron compounds and other solid residue. The sulfate solution is filtered from the solids and the non ferrous metals recovered by precipitation or electrolysis.

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First Claim