Aqueous SO2 leaching studies on Nishikhal manganese ore through factorial experiment

Aqueous SO2 leaching studies of Nishikhal manganese ore containing 32.5% Mn and 16.5% Fe were carried out at atmospheric pressure and room temperature using H2SO3. The variables considered were SO2 concentration, solid-to-liquid ratio, sulphuric acid concentration and duration of leaching. Regression equations for extraction of manganese and iron were determined from 2(4) full factorial design. The effect of variables on extraction of manganese were independent of each other within the range of variables chosen for experiment. It was found that 95% of manganese could be extracted in 15 min from - 150 mu m ore with twice the stoichiometric quantity of SO2 required for dissolution of manganese. The quantity of SO2 present in the solution is the controlling factor in the extraction of manganese. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.