Hydrochloric Acid Leaching Approaches for Tantalum and Niobium Pentoxides Enrichment in 1st Tin Slag from Bangka Island

Abstract

Abstract Indonesia is the second largest tin producer in the world that resulting abound of byproduct. This by-product contains some of valuable metal oxides, such as 0.30% tantalum (Ta2O5) and 0.58% niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5). The supply deficit of these minerals induces researchers worldwide to conduct investigations. This study explored the effect of roasting at 900°C, NaOH quenching, and HC1 leaching with 45, 65, and 85°C temperature variables and 4M, 6M, 8M concentration variables. These measures were employed to upgrade the contents of tantalum and niobium pentoxide (TNP). The filtration products of quenching and leaching were characterized by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). On the one hand, 900°C roasting and NaOH quenching decreased the 100 mesh-measuring TNP contents, 0.14% Ta2O5 and 0.2% Nb2O5. On the other hand, HC1 leaching with a 65°C temperature variable showed an optimal yield ratio of 3.75 Ta2O5 and 3.57 Nb2O5. The total yield ratio of TNP is 3.63.