Patents
This invention provides an improved process for recovering cobalt from roast-reduced sea nodules. In the process of the invention the additive is added in the grinding stage. The wet ground slurry is stirred and the solid-liquid ratio is maintained in the range 1:1 to 1:3 during wet grinding and stirring. The slurry thus obtained is leached, in stages, after adjusting the concentration of the leach solution and the solid-liquid ratio to the desired levels by adding suitable amount of ammonia solution and water in the presence of the air. After the first stage of leaching, solid-liquid separation is done. The residue obtained in the first stage leaching is leached again (stage II) in ammoniacal solution having similar composition to that used in the first stage of leaching to recover the high yield of cobalt.