NON-FERROUS EXTRACTION METALLURGY

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. distinguish between pyro, electro and hydrometallurgy methods of extractions; 2. acquire the skill to use Ellingham diagram to predict conditions for the extraction of any 3. metal; 4. explain the choice of reagents in the hydrometallurgy extraction of gold and other noble metals; 5. describe how the more reactive metals like titanium are extracted; 6. recognise the importance of secondary resources for extraction; and 7. understand the process of ferroalloy production.

Review of the principles of pyrometallurgy, electrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy; Pyrometallurgical process routes and methods of extraction and refining of common non- ferrous metals – aluminium, copper, lead, tin, zinc; Less common non-ferrous metals – magnesium, nickel, cobalt, silver, platinum. Electrometallurgical process routes of extraction and refining of aluminium, magnesium, titanium, beryllium, and the rare earth metals. Hydrometallurgical process and methods of extraction and refining of gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, tantalum, uranium, copper, aluminium, hafnium, zinc. Pre-requisite: MAE 401.