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Abstract

A method for winning the valuable metal content of a leaching solution acidified with sulphuric acid, by solvent extraction and electrowinning and a following final product winning stage, for instance an electrowinning stage, wherein the pH of the leaching solution is raised successively to precipitate out the iron and arsenic present in a first precipitation stage, removing said first precipitate, and precipitating the valuable metal content of the leaching solution substantially totally in a following precipitation stage. The resultant precipitate containing valuable metal and gypsum is removed and leached in an acid environment to re-dissolve the valuable metal content, and the thus formed acid solution and its metal content are delivered to a solvent extraction circuit in which the metal content is converted to a substantial degree to an acid electrolyte from which metal or some other end product is won. The acid solution deplete of valuable metal and deriving from the solvent extraction stage can be returned to the stage in which the valuable metal content is re-dissolved and, when electrowinning is used for winning the end product, electrolyte deplete of valuable metal can be cycled from the electrowinning stage to the solvent extraction circuit.

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