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Fluoride-Free Processing of Columbite Concentrate for Selective Recovery of Niobium and Tantalum Oxides

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Abstract

Niobium and tantalum extraction industries heavily depend on fluoride chemistry for metal oxide production. This study concentrates on developing a fluoride-free approach utilizing alkali treatment for selective dissolution of niobium and tantalum phases. The application of microwave heating in the alkali treatment of columbite significantly reduced the processing time, providing a higher reaction rate and recovery than conventional heating. A short duration of microwave exposure (6 min) elevated the sample temperature to more than 900 °C, resulting in the rapid formation of water-soluble niobium and tantalum complex. Metal recovery from the solution was attempted through direct precipitation using guanidine carbonate as the precipitating agent, resulting in a mixed oxide product with > 90% purity. On the other hand, solvent extraction was also attempted using methyltrioctylammonium chloride as an extractant, providing a niobium oxide and tantalum-rich mixed oxide with > 98% purity as the final product.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Material Science and Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA

    Himanshu Tanvar & Brajendra Mishra

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  1. Himanshu Tanvar
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  2. Brajendra Mishra
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Correspondence to Himanshu Tanvar.

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Tanvar, H., Mishra, B. Fluoride-Free Processing of Columbite Concentrate for Selective Recovery of Niobium and Tantalum Oxides. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 41, 515–523 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-024-00969-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-024-00969-5

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