Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction in Mineral Processing

In the past decade, there has been a notable increase in the development of selective ion-exchange resins and solvents, alongside ion-exchange and solvent-extraction equipment tailored for mineral processing. This surge in interest led to the recent Symposium on Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction in Mineral Processing held at the National Institute for Metallurgy (NIM) on February 7th and 8th, 1980, which was a resounding success, attracting approximately 300 delegates, including about 30 representatives from nine foreign countries. The symposium covered a wide variety of topics ranging from fundamental research in resin development to large-scale engineering applications, underscoring the widespread interest in this field. The opening address by Louw Alberts, President of NIM, provided an insightful overview of the historical development of ion exchange and solvent extraction, highlighting key advancements since the discovery of uranium absorption by ion-exchange resin at MIT in 1948. Despite solvent extraction dominating during the early 1970s in South Africa, continuous ion-exchange contactors (CIX) have made a significant comeback, with five new uranium plants employing CIX commissioned in the last three years. This symposium aimed to forecast the future of these technologies and their application in mineral processing, especially in recovering base and precious metals.