Leaching Behavior of Scandium from Limonitic Laterite Ores Under Sulfation Roasting–Water Leaching

In the present study, leaching behavior of scandium from limonitic laterites under sulfation roasting–water (SAL) was explored. The mineralogical analysis showed that associated with iron phase. roasting temperature played an important role in phase conversion during process. With increase 100 to 800 °C, (goethite, magnetite, and hematite) gradually converted monoclinic Fe2(SO4)3 (400 °C), then rhombohedral (600 finally hematite (800 °C). Due mechanism, efficiency increased first decreased °C. When roasted at 600 °C for 2 h sulfuric acid/laterite ratio 1/4 (mL/g), a total 81.15% only 0.37% were extracted into solution 30 liquid-to-solid 4:1 (mL/g) 1 agitation. SAL process enables selective efficient enrichment low-grade lower costs equipment operation compared high-pressure acid (HPAL), consumption, dissolution atmospheric pressure (AL).