A Review of New Developments in Amine Solvent Extraction Systems for Hydrometallurgy

Abstract

Amine extractants, regardless of structure, have been of limited utility for the extraction of complex metallic anions from alkaline solution due to an inability to increase the amine's basicity. This situation is contrasted to acid extractants in which case such control of extractant strength is possible. Recent studies with amine extractants have shown that the use of specific modifiers allows for the control of amine basicity over an appreciable pH range for certain anions. Particularly significant is the potential for the extraction of gold from alkaline cyanide solutions.