Partitioning of transition metals during magnetization of oxidized pyrrhotite tailings

Abstract

Low-temperature magnetization using reducing gas derived from biomass pyrolysis is being explored as an option to recover Fe from oxidized waste generated during Ni extraction from bio-leaching of pyrrhotite-rich tailings. The study investigates the potential sequestration of the main transition metal contaminants - Cu and Ni - into the magnetic phases. In the original oxidized pyrrhotite tailings, Ni and Cu were associated with goethite. Magnetization at 460 °C led to full conversion of goethite and jarosite into magnetite through solid-state transformation. 93% of the magnetite was recovered in the magnetic fraction by magnetic separation. Nickel and Cu accumulation was respectively 4 times and 2 times greater in the magnetic than nonmagnetic fraction, indicating that the magnetic fraction acted as a sink for these transition metals. Metal fractionation of the magnetic fraction showed that a greater proportion of total Ni resided with the crystalline and refractory phases compared to Cu (47% of total Ni vs. 29% of total Cu). The greater affinity for Ni to incorporate into magnetite was further demonstrated using magnetized goethites co-precipitated with 100 mmol Cu or Ni kg−1: most Ni was associated with the amorphous and crystalline Fe whereas 60% of total Cu was extracted as a sorbed/exchangeable species. The greater Cu mobility during sequential extraction of magnetite is likely attributable to its monovalent state in this reducing system. Low-temperature magnetization coupled with biomass pyrolysis may represent a viable option to manage iron and leftover transition metals in oxidized, (bio)leached pyrrhotite wastes as a way to produce much smaller volumes of inert wastes.