An overview on potential hydrometallurgical processes for separation and recovery of manganese

Abstract

With rapid economic progress worldwide, the search for new resources for materials has become a priority due to mineral resource depletion. Enhanced requirements for manganese alloys and compounds for several commercial applications created a desperate demand for manganese recovery technologies from primary as well as secondary resources. The future demand for manganese alloys and compounds is expected to increase. The growing need of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) for different battery usage in automobile and energy sectors could create a gap in the supply and demand of manganese. There is an urgent necessity for eco-friendly and efficient technologies to boost the production of manganese from low-grade ores as well as post-consumer products. The framework of effective leaching processes and proper solvent extraction techniques for the recovery of manganese could be a novel pathway to get a clean, green and healthy environment for a sustainable future in the automotive and energy segment where this metal has a significant contribution.