The Occurrence of Sc, Co, and Ni in Lithiophorite-type Manganese Ore

Abstract

The lithiophorite in manganese ore is rich in aluminum, and actually it is a generic name for the multi-mineral aggregates mixed by silicon, aluminum, and iron, which is quite different from ordinary psilomelane. There is no Sc, Ni, or Co mineral in this ore, and more than 98 % of Co, Ni, and Sc exist in lithiophorite and a little pyrolusite. The distribution of Co, Ni, and Sc in lithiophorite is further studied by EPMA and the results indicate that Co and Sc in lithiophorite are sparse and have scattered distribution, while Ni mostly distributes in the argillaceous lithiophorite and is local enrichment. Reduction-sulfuric acid leaching tests show that Co and Sc dissolve before Mn and the dissolution rate of Co and Sc is almost equal, which is significantly higher than that of Mn. However, the dissolution rate of Ni is extremely low with the dissolution of Mn, which indicates that Ni is hard to dissolve and its dissolution rate obviously lags behind that of Mn, Sc, and Co. The initial conclusions can be drawn that Co and Sc exist in the lithiophorite as interface adsorption while Ni exists in the clay (kaolinite) mixed up with lithiophorite as interface adsorption.