ELECTROLYTIC PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF ZINC AND MANGANESE DIOXIDE

1525458 Electrolytic Zn and MnO 2 production SHERRITT GORDON MINES Ltd 28 July 1977 [11 Aug 1976] 31800/77 Heading C7B Zn and MnO 2 are recovered from a common source material by leaching to obtain a solution containing Mn and Zn ions, which is electrolyzed in two separate cells in one of which conditions favouring Zn production and inhibiting MnO 2 formation are maintained and in the other of which MnO 2 is obtained with or without Zn. The electrolyses may occur in either order. Sulphidic ores may be converted to sulphate solutions using oxidation and H 2 SO 4 , free S and Fe, Cu, Cd and As are then removed and in the said one cell a preconditioned Pb-Ag anode is used to inhibit MnO 2 formation. H 2 SO 4 regenerated in the other cell may be recycled to the leach step and Zn from this cell recovered as such or recycled to the leach step as a neutralizing agent.