| abstract |
Multistage process for the recovery of valuable metals from an acidic, aqueous leachate solution in which valuable metal ions are present in concentrations of from 10 to 40 g/l, which comprises (I) liquid/liquid extraction of the leachate solution, where the leachate solution is brought into contact at least once with an organic, water-insoluble extractant, (II) and subsequently bringing the extractant loaded with valuable metal ions obtained from (I) into contact at least once with an acidic aqueous phase, with the major part of the valuable metal ions being transferred into the acidic aqueous phase, (III) and subjecting the acidic aqueous phase obtained from (II) to an electrolysis or crystallization process for recovering the valuable metal, wherein the pH of the aqueous leachate solution is set to at least 1.2 and not more than 2.5 before and/or during the liquid/liquid extraction process (I). |