Patent ID: 7803336
Filing Date: 2010-09-28
Classification: C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for leaching of titanium from a titanium-bearing ore material selected from the group consisting of a titanium-bearing ore, concentrate thereof, modified ore thereof and tailings thereof, and mixtures thereof, said process comprising the steps of: (a) leaching the titanium-bearing ore material at atmospheric pressure with a lixiviant comprising hydrochloric acid and magnesium chloride so as to obtain a titanium-rich leach solution, the lixiviant having a concentration of hydrochloric acid of not more than about 20% (mass ratio), based on the amount of lixiviant and a concentration of magnesium chloride of at least 100 g/L, the leach being carried out at a temperature such that titanium in said titanium-rich solution remains in said solution, said temperature of the leach being less than 85° C.; (b) subjecting the solution obtained in step (a) to a liquid/solid separation step, thereby obtaining a solids fraction and a liquid fraction; (c) subjecting the liquid fraction obtained in step (b) to steps to recover a liquid fraction containing titanium chloride compounds therefrom; and (d) subjecting the liquid fraction containing titanium chloride compounds of step (c) to steps to recover titanium dioxide therefrom.