Patent ID: 8852315
Filing Date: 2014-10-07
Classification: B22F,C22B,C22C

Abstract:
1. A method of recovering metals, comprising: reducing a mixed metal oxide composition comprising oxides of nickel, cobalt, copper and iron in a hydrogen atmosphere to produce a mixture of the respective metals, wherein said atmosphere further comprises water vapour at a concentration, temperature and time to effect selective reduction of said oxides of nickel cobalt and copper relative to said iron oxide to produce said metallic mixture having a reduced ratio of metallic iron relative to metallic nickel, cobalt and copper as compared to that in the mixed metal oxide composition; effecting sulphidization of metals within said metallic mixture for effecting production of a post-sulphidization material; and contacting the post-sulphidization material with carbon monoxide, wherein said hydrogen atmosphere during the reducing comprises 10-50% v/v water.