T he feasibility of recovering manganese by leaching low grade ore with aqueous sulphur dioxide has been investigated. Successful extraction was achieved at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The concentration of manganese in the leach liquor increased with increase in pulp density. At higher pulp densities (e.g. 40 and 50%), the extraction of impurities Fe, Al, Si and Na into the leach liquor decreased, which was advantageous. A manganese rich leach liquor with 119 g L-1 Mn, 1·18 g L-1 Fe, 1·03 g L-1 Al, 1·65 g L-1 K, 0·33 g L-1 SiO2, 0·31 g L-1 Na and 0·23 g L-1 Co could be obtained from the low grade ore at 50% pulp density and 150 min leaching time.
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