Cobalt mineralogy at the Iron Creek deposit, Idaho cobalt belt, USA: Implications for domestic critical mineral production

Abstract

Abstract Current U.S. policies aim to establish domestic supply chains of critical minerals for the energy transition. The Iron Creek deposit in the Idaho cobalt belt (ICB) is one of the most promising cobalt (Co) targets. Our case study illustrates the importance of mineralogy in strategic evaluations of critical mineral potential. Most of the Co at Iron Creek occurs as Fe substitution in pyrite, with lattice-bound and inclusion-hosted Ag, As, Bi, Ni, Pb, Se, Te ± trace Au and Sb. Cobalt also occurs in minor cattierite-vaesite. The Co minerals are intergrown with Co-poor chalcopyrite hosting Cu ± minor In and Zn. Worldwide, most Co is recovered from deposits mineralogically distinct from the ICB, and the United States currently lacks infrastructure to recover this Co and its associated metals. ICB ore minerals could be processed by autoclave, roaster, smelter, bioleach, or heap leach. Recovery of the Ag, As, Au, Bi, In, Pb, Se, Te, and Zn would be costly by autoclave, and construction of a custom smelter for ICB ores is likely uneconomic, so these elements would become waste irrespective of criticality. The Co-Fe and Co-As sulfide minerals are most suitable for Co and Ni recovery by a hydrometallurgical autoclave process, with potential pretreatment of cobaltiferous pyrite/arsenopyrite in an inert-atmosphere roaster, in new domestic or anticipated international facilities. The ICB is the second largest known Co resource in the United States. Consideration of ore mineralogy in the ICB is essential in strategies for domestic production.