Patent ID: 6440376
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for dissolving one or more noble metals out of a segregated ore containing said one or more noble metals, said process comprising the following steps:a) reducing one or more noble metal oxides in said segregated ore to one or more noble metals in a finely divided form; b) suspending or solubilizing the segregated ore and/or the one or more noble metals. in a finely divided form in 3 to 5 molar HCl to form a suspension or solution containing the segregated ore and/or the one or more noble metals in a finely divided form; c) heating the suspension or solution to a temperature of about 70Â° C. to about 80Â° C.; and d) after said heating, oxidizing the suspension or solution by treating the suspension or solution under potential control with HCl and a 4.5 to 5.0 molar aqueous chlorate solution to yield a further suspension or solution, said further suspension or solution having a concentration of H+ ions of at least 3 mol/l, a concentration of Clâˆ’ ions of at least 1 mol/l and a temperature ranging from 50Â° C. to 95Â° C.