| abstract |
This invention provides a process for removing metal values from ocean floor nodule ores comprising contacting the nodule ore with a molten bath of an alkali metal halide and/or an alkaline earth metal halide to form the halides of the manganese, copper, cobalt and nickel present in the ore, and separating the thus formed halides from the reaction mixture, as by vaporization. The mixture of halides can then be separated into the individual halides, e.g. by dissolving in water and separating by extraction. Preferably the ore is first dehydrated and the ore can be contacted with a reducing agent to reduce the manganese present to the divalent state. |