PRIORITY DOCUMENT

[001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No.

2013904057 titled "DERIVING HIGH VALUE PRODUCTS FROM WASTE RED MUD" and. filed on 2 ! October 2013, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] The present invention relates to processes for the recovery and purification of metals, metalloids, their oxides or other valuables from bauxite residues (red mud) and other ores.

[003] Throughout this specification reference will specifically be made to the recovery of metals, metalloids, their oxides or other valuables from red mud. However, it will be appreciated that the processes described herein, may also be applied to other ores or waste materials containing aluminium oxides and hydroxides, iron oxides, silicon oxides, and other trace metals.

BACKGROUND

[004] A toxic by-product of the Bayer process, red mud has proven problematic i industry for several decades. The substance is generated as a waste produ ct during the production of alumina. For every tonne of alumina produced, 1 to 2 tonnes of red mud are created as a waste stream. Curren estimates pat the global red mud stocks a! 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes. World output is estimated at 50 million tonnes per annum, with Australia the biggest contributor (its output is up to 25 million tonnes per annum). It is estimated thai demand for alumina will increase over the .following decades, from a combination of developing economies and emerging technologies. The problem of what to do with red mud is therefore a major issue,

[005] The toxic effects attributed to red mud are due to its highly caustic (i.e. basic) nature. During the initial stage of traditional alumina production, bauxite is reacted with concentrated sodi um hydroxide (caustic soda) at temperature. The tailings discarded contain a high proportion of caustic soda, in both a raw and chemically combmed form. The red mud 'residue' is therefore highly corrosi ve to flora, fauna and the environment and must be partially treated to enable safe and responsible storage. Current methods employ partial washing of the toxic residue to decrease the caustic nature, prior to storage in evaporating ponds or dry stacks. These are problematic in themselves; evaporating ponds ultimately invade and react with the _: surrounding ecosystem, while dry stacks have to be constantly maintained to limit caustic run-off and surface dusting. Spillages of .red mud have resulted in human fatalities in addition to damage to rivers, ecosystems, buildings and homes. A viable solution to the treatment and/or reeiamation of red mud is required.

[006] Previous methods employed for the treatment and/or reclamation of red mud have attempted to deal with the toxicity either by partial neutralisation or further processing, Queensland Alumina Limited have «sed seawaier for partial treatment, reducing the caustic nature o f the residue prior to storage. Howe ver, such methods do not fully eliminate the apparent dangers with the substance, nor utilise the entirety of the waste. Other methods have taken the route of metal recovery from the waste. For example, reclamation of iron oxides .has proven successful, as has recovery of titanium employing sulphuric acid leaching followed by magnetic separation. Alcoa have developed a process which involves breaking down red mud into components suitable for various applications; their Red Sand, Red Lime and Alkaloam products have uses in. areas such as agriculture, acid mine drainage and catalysis. Yet other approaches use neutra lised, red mad for building materials, ceramics, waste-water treatment and other novel applications. The major drawback of most of these routes is the inability to utilise the majority of the red mud waste. Various value-added metals are entrapped within the residue and, to date, no process has been developed which utilises most of the entrapped valuable materials. The typical composition of red mud contains up to 25% alumina, 60% iron and 15% silica. Other metals such as titanium, magnesium and gallium are also present in trace amounts.

[007] There is a need for processes that process red mud to provide valuable materials and/or overcome the di fficulties associated with the .storage of red mud.

SUMMARY

[008] The present invention arises from ^' our research into processes that utilise sea ater for partial red mud neutralisation, followed by a novel extraction technique that separates valuable metals and/or their oxides contained within. The resulting products are iron oxides (hematite & magnetite), high purity alumina (HPA), smelter grade alumina (SGA), high purity silica (HPS), along with other metals and rare earth metals,

[009] According to a first aspect, there is provided- a process for recovering valuable metals and or their oxides from red mud bauxite residues or similar, the process comprising; a) ca lcining a red mud residue having a pH. of less than about 1 to provide a calcinated red mud residue; b) acid leaching the calcinated red mud residue to provide a silica rich solid component and an acid leachate; c) separating the silica rich solid component and the acid leachate; d) precipitating an iron rich solid component from the acid leachate: and e) separating the precipitated iron rich solid component from the acid leachate to provide an aluminium rich liquor.

[0010] In embodiments, the process further comprises: recovering silica from the silica rich solid component, recovering iron oxides from the iron rich solid component, and/or recovering alumina from the aluminium, rich liquor.

[0011 ] In. embodiments, the process further comprises a step of adjusting the pH of a red mud bauxite residue to about pH 9 to 10 to provide a neutralised red mud residue. The pH of the red mud bauxite residue may be adjusted by washing with water until the pH of the residue is about pH 9 to 10. In embodiments, the pH of the red mud bauxite residue is adjusted to about 9.5, Advantageously, the red mud bauxite residue may be washed with sea water.

[0012] In. embodiments, the acid leaching step is carried out at elevated temperature.

[0013] In embodiments, silica is recovered from the silica rich solid material by rapid thermal processing (RTF), acid washing and the basic washing to yield high purity silica (HPS).

[0014] In embodiments, iron asides are recovered from the iron rich materials fay solid liquid, separation of iron rich materials followed by calcination to iron oxides. Over 90% of iron contained within ihe red mud can be recovered in this way.

[0015] In embodiments, alumina is recovered from the alumi ium rich liquor by iiquid/liquid extraction followed by back extracting the aluminium rich liquor with acid, separation of precipitated Al(OH); and calcination to yield high purity alumina.

[0016] Optionally, the process further comprises a. step of recovering trace metals, such as titanium, from tiie acid leachate.

[0017] According to a second aspect, there is provided an iron oxide product produced by the process of the first aspect of the invention. [0018] According to a third aspect, there is provided a silica product produced by the process of the first aspect of the invention.

[0 19] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided an alumina product proditced by the process of the first aspect of the invention,

[0020] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a titanium oxide product produced by the process of the first aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021 ] Embodiments, of the present Invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0022] Fi gure i is a flow diagram showing an embodiment of a process of separating valuable metals and/or their oxides from red mud in accordance with the invention,

[0023] Figure 2 is a flow diagram showing an embodiment of a process of recovering valuable metals and/or their oxides from red mud in accordance with the invention. Dashed lines in the figure represent optional steps in the process.

[0024] Figure 3 is a flow diagram showing an embodiment of a process of recovering valuable metals and/or their oxides from red mud in accordance with the invention. Dashed lines in the figure represent optional steps in the process. The symbols A to P in Figure 3 refer to the following sampling points and analysis required:

Sampling point Sample phase Analysis type

A Solid XRD X F & SEM

B Liquid Solid pi !

C Solid XRD/XRF & SEM.

D Liquid/Solid XRD/XRF, TCP & pH

E Liquid ICP

F Liquid ICP

G Liquid pH

1:1 Solid XRD/XRF & GD-MS & SEM

1 Solid XRD/XRF & GD-MS & SEM J Liquid ICP & pH

Liquid ICP & pH

L Solid XRD XRF & GD-MS & SEM

M Solid XRD/XRF & GD-MS & SEM

N Solid XRD XRF & SEM

0 Solid XRD/XRF & GD-MS & SEM

P Solid XRD/XRF & GD-MS & SEM

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0025] As used herein, the terms "red mud" and "red sludge" mean the solid waste product of the Bayer process for refining bauxite to provide alumina. Red mud is a waste product generated by the aluminium manufacturing industry. Red mud typically has the followin general composition: Fe_O 30 to 60%, Al ₂ Oj-10 to 20%, SiO 3 to 50%, Na ₂ 0-2 to 10%, CaO-2 to 8% and TiQrO to 10%. Reference herein to red mud residues "or similar" means other ores or materials; that have a similar composition to red mud.

[0026] As used herein, the term "about" when used in reference to a process parameter or value means that the value is within at least. ±10% of the stated value.

[0027] As discussed, we have developed a process for the recovery and purification of entrapped metals, metalloids, their oxides and or other valuables from bauxite residues (red mud) and other ores.

Advantageously, the process may incorporate in-line monitoring and dedicated quality control sampling points, for analytical testing of the starring, intermediate and end-products. Furthermore, the entirety of the red mud is utilised in the process, with all toxic properties eliminated and minimal wastage of the starting material. The end products obtained include:

• Iron oxides, Fe ₂ 0 ₃ & FejO* 2N-4M purity

• Titanium dioxide, TiC , 2N-4N purity

• High purity alumina (l-IPA), Ai;(¾, 3N-7 purity

• High purity silica (HPS), Si0 ₂ , 3N-7N purit

[0028] Referring to the Figures, the process 10 of the present invention comprises calcining 20 a red mud residue 16 having a pH of less than about 10 to provide a calcinated red mud residue 22. The calcinated, red mud residue 22 is then acid leached in an acid leaching step 24 to provide a silica rich solid component 26 and an. acid leachate 28. The silica rich solid component 26 and tire acid leachate 28 are separated in separation step 30 arid an iron rich solid component 38 is precipitated from the acid leachate 28. The iron rich solid component. 38 is separated from the acid leachate 28 to provide an aluminium rich li uor 44.

[0029] in embodiments, the process further comprises: recovering silica from the silica rich solid component 26, recovering iron oxides from the iron rich solid component 38, and/or recovering alumina from the aluminium rich liquor 44.

[0030] A more detailed process 10 of the present invention is shown in Figures 2 and 3. The process 10 comprises a step 12 of adjusting the pH. of a red mud bauxite residue 14 to about pH 9 to 10 to provide a partially neutralised red mud residue 16. In specific embodiments, the pH of a red mud bauxite residue 14 is adjusted to pi t 9.5. The pH of the red mud bauxite residue 14 is adjusted by washing with water until the pl l of the partially neutrali sed red mud residue is about 9 to 10, such as pH 9.5. The red mud ba uxite residue can be washed with, sea water. The seawater may be filtered of any residue prior to use using convention al methods.

[0031 ] A starting ratio of 1 :5 red mud bauxite residue to sea water is suitable. The neutralisation is typically carried out under constant agitation. The p.H is constantly monitored, with a desired end-point of pTl 9 to 10. An end-point p.H of 9.5 is particularly suitable. The resultant red mud bauxite

resklue/sea ater slurry is left to settle for 1 to 3 hours. Optionally, a fioecttiant can be added at this point to aid settling. Suitable floccularits include polyacrylamide based f!oecidanis such as CYFLOC H.X-600 and CYFLOC IiX-400 (both available commercially from Cytec industries. Inc.),

[0032] The liquid portion 18 of the mixture is separated from the neutralised red mud residue 16. The li uid portion 18 and the neutralised red mud residue 16 can be separated by any suitable method, Such as decanting, filtration, ceiitrifnging, or combinations thereof. The waste seawate 18 obtained can be either fully neutralised using concentrated .sulphuric acid (0.05L per 1000L seawater), sent to waste (subject to appropriate regulations) or evaporated in waste ponds to yield hydrotal.ci.tes and neutral salts. These can. be further processed and sold as value added by-products. The neutralised red mud residue 16 can he sampled, dried, and analysed using X-Ray Fluoreseence X-Ray Diffraction (XRF/XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). This establishes the constituent make-up of the red mud residue 16 and hence the expected yield of end-products.

[0033] In some cases, the red mud residue may already be at least parti ally neutralised (i.e. have a pH of less than about 10) and the process neutralisation step 12 j ust described can be omitted and the process started with the calcination step 20, as described in more detail below. [0034] The partially neutralised red mud residue 16 is then calcinated in calcination step 20 to provide a calcinated red mud residue 22. The partially neutralised red mud residuel6 is calcinated at a temperature of 150-800°C, for a period of 1 to 3 hours. In specific embodiments, the calcination step 20 is carried out at about 5G(FG for about 2 hours. The calcination step 20 enables more efficient extraction of aluminium at the later acid-leaching stage. The calcination step 20 may be carried out in a furnace, reactor, kiln or ca!einer such as a rotary fciiti, shaft furnace, multiple hearth furnace or fiuidised bed reactor.

[0035] In the next step, the calcinated red mud residue 22 is subjected to an acid leaching step 24 at an elevated temperature to provide a silica rich solid component 26 and an acid leaehate 28. Th acid leaching stage 24 is carried out using an acid at elevated temperature of from about 120°C to about 200 ^a C In specific embodiments the acid leaching stage 24 is carried out at I50°C. The acid leaching stage 24 may be carried out for a period of about 4 to about 8 hours. In specific embodiments the acid leaching stage 24 is carried out for a period of about 8 hours. Hydrochloric acid is a suitable acid for use in the acid leaching stage 24. although sulphuric acid and nitric acid have similar properties for leaching and could also be used. The hydrochloric acid may be 8M to 12M, such as 10 M. The ratio of calcinated red mud residue 22 to acid may be from 1 :7 to 1 : 10. During this temperature-elevated acid leaching stage 24, over 90% of aluminium and 95% of iron is extracted from the solid phase and into solution, along with any rare-earth elements and rare-earth metals. Dedicated sampling points are incorporated to analyse the acid- leachate via ICR, and hence the efficienc of the teaching process. This can be used to determine the optimal extraction time for acid digestion. The insoluble silica rich solid component 26 is separated by filtering 30, decanting, centrifuging, or combinations of these ready for further processing as described later.

[0036 ^" ) Whilst the acid leaching step 24 is readil carried out at elevated temperature as described above, i is also possible for the acid leaching step 24 to be carried out in a two-step process comprising a first acid leaching stage conducted at ambient temperature and a second acid leaching stage conducted at elevated temperature. In the first acid leaching stage, the calcinated red mad residue 22 can be contacted with an acid at ambient temperature. The temperature during this first acid leaching stage may be iron! about 15°C to about 4G°C Again, hydrochloric acid is suitable for use as the acid. The calcinated red mud residue 22 can be- treated with acid at ambient temperature for a period of from about t hour to about 2 hours. The ratio of residue to acid may be from 1 :7 to 1 : 10. A second acid, teaching stage 24 can then be carried out using an acid at elevated temperature. The elevated temperature may be from about 12Q°C to about 200°C (for example ISf 'C). The second acid leaching stage 24 may be carried oat for a period of from about.4 to about 8 hours. Again, the insoluble silica rich solid componerit 26 can then be separated by filtering 30, decanting _s centiifuging, or combinations of these ready tor further processing. [0037] The resulting acid leachate 28 is rich in. titanium chloride. Optionally, titanium dioxide 32 can be precipitated from the acid leachate 28 by evaporating at least some of the hydrochloric acid such that the obtained sol id titanium dioxide 32 precipitates from solution tinder hydrolysis at a temperature of from about 100°C to about 130 ^e C. The hydrochloric acid gas 34 derived Mm the evaporation step can be condensed into water and recycled as hydrochloric acid for use in the acid leaching step 24. The solid precipitated titanium dioxide 32 can then be filtered and washed with de-ioaised water, before drying under vacuum at a temperature of from about i 10 to about 130°C. Titanium dioxide purity will be in the range of 2-4N. Purity can be determined via XRD XRF & GD-MS analysis.

[0038] Alternatively, or in addition, titanium dioxide 32 can be obtained from pH-adjusted aluminium rich liquor 48 after filtration of aluminium hydroxide 52, as described hi more detail later.

[0039] As mentioned, the insoluble silica rich solid component 26 is removed from the acid leachate 28 by fihTation/dficantmg/centrifttging sieving or a combination thereof 30. The resulting silica residue is washed with water (e.g. ultra-pure deionised water) and dried under vacuum at a temperature- of from about 1 i 0°C to about 130°C for from about 1 hour to about 2 hours. An optional separation of magnetic impurities contained within the residue can be carried out at this point by magnetic separation (e.g. via high intensity magnetic separation, or the Wetherill separation, technique). The obtained dried residue is subjected to rapid thermal processing (RTF) using an infra-red furnace in an oxygen atmosphere. This can be achieved by using tungsten lamps, at a temperature of from about 1000°C to about !20G°C, for a period of from about I second to about 500 seconds. In embodiments, the RTP step is carried out at about lOOO'C for about 120 seconds. The impurities within the silica are brought to the surface during RTP, and can be subsequently removed b acid leaching. A combination of acids can be used, including hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid or any combination thereof. One option is to use a hydrofluoric acid (5%)/ hydrochloric acid (4%) mix in the ratio of 1 :7, This is used in the ratio of 1:2 with respect to solid:acid mix, and performed under ultrasound sonkatton for 12 to 24 hours. In embodiments, the acid leaching is performed under iiltrasound/sonication for 12 hours. The resultant acid leached silica composition can. be- neutralised and washed with 1 M to 4M sodium hydroxide, which removes the silicate residue from the silica to .form a base washed silica composition. In embodiments, the so ium hydroxide is 2M. This is followed by rinsing with deionised water and drying under vacuum at 110 to 130°C. Trace analysis of the sample can be performed at this point, which can take the form of XRD/XRF & GD-MS (Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry) to determine the purity of silica obtained. This ca be incorporated into a feedback loop, in order to determine duration of acid leach and/or repeat leaching. The resulting product yields high purity silica (HPS) with a purity of 3N-7N. Purity can be determined via XRD XRF & GD-MS analysis. Optionally, the purifying process can be omitted, resulting in a lower grade silica as the end product. Optionally, the sodium hydroxide waste can be neutralised with acid, Optionally, the acid waste can be recycled to the acid leaching step 24, to ffiinsniisc waste.

[0040] Following extraction of the silica rich solid component 26, the acid leachate 28 is reduced in volume by evaporation, at a temperature of from about 1 0°C to about 200°C, aatitil the volume obtained constitutes 10 to 20% of the initial volume to provide a concentrated acid leachate 36. La embodiments, the evaporation is carried out at a temperature of from abo ut I 50°C to about 160°C. The con cent rated acid leachate 36 is rich in aluminium and iron, and can be analysed by IC'P to determine the extraction efficiency and concentration obtained Hydrochloric acid obtained at this stage can be recovered and used in one or more of the acid leaching step(s). Optionally, a trace metal recovery step can be performed on the recovered acid.

[0041] The iron rich solid component 38 is then precipitated from the concentrated acid leachate 36. This can. be achieved by adjusting the pH of the concentrated acid leachate 36 to between 10 and 11 using a base, such as 2M to 10M sodium hydroxide, in embodiments, the pH of the concentration acid leachate is adjusted to pH 10.5 using 2M sodium hydroxide. The pH can be adjusted using a pH feedback loop, resulting in precipitation of an iron rich solid component 38 comprising iron hydroxides (Fe(OH) ₂ and Fe(Oi¾). The iron rich solid component 38 can be separated from an aluminium rich liquor 44 using a separation device 46. Specifically, the separation may be effected by filtration, decanting, eentrifuging, sieving or any combination thereof to provide the iron rich solid component: 38 and the aluminium rich liquor 44. Once separated, the iron rich solid component 8 is washed with 2M to KM. sodium hydroxide (such as 2M sodium hydroxide) then delontsed water, prior to drying under vacuum at from about I I0*C to about i 30' ^:, C, such as at about 120°C. The hydroxides are then calcinated in iron calcination step 40 in the absence of air at a temperature of from about 2Q0°C to about 800*C to yield iron oxides (Fe ₂ Ch and Fe _} 0 ₄ ) 42, The calcination can be performed for a period of from about I. hour to about 10 hours. In embodiments, iron calcination step 40 is carried out at about S00°C for about 8 hours. The solid oxides thus obtained can be analysed by XRD X F & GD-MS to determine iron purity and trace compounds.

[0042] Alumina is recovered from the aluminium rich liquor 44 by adjusting the pH of the liquor to between 2 and 4 inclusive in H adjustment step 46 to provide a pH adjusted aluminium rich liquor 48. In specific embodiments, the H is adjusted to about 3. The pi! can be adjusted using an acid such as 2M to 1 OM hydrochloric acid, in specific embodiments, the ^' hydrochloric acid is 2M, The pH adjustment step 46 can be controlled via a pH feedback loop. The aluminium content at this point can be determined by means of ICP analysis. Aluminium hydroxides 52 are selectively removed from the pH adjusted aluminium rich liquor 48 by extraction using an organic phase comprising a water immiscible sol vent and an aluminium extracting agent in solvent extraction step 54. The extracting agent can be any agent that complexes with aluminium ions with selectivity, such as a phosphoric or phosphonic acid derivative. Suitable extracting agents include phos horus-based acids such as: monoalkyl- and diaBcylphosphoric. acids, including bis(2-ethylhex l) phosphoric acid (HDEHP), dihexylphosphoric acid HDHP), bis(l ,3- dimethyibutyl)phosphi)oe acid (MBDMBP), and diisodecylphosphoric acid (DfDPA); monoalkyl- and dialkylphospho c acids, including 2-ethyihexy]-ethyihexylplM>sph0riic acid (MEHEHP); monoalkyl- and diaJkylphosphinic acids; tbiophasphorie acids; thiophosphome acids; thiophosphinic acids and thiophosphorys acids,

[0043] Preferably; the extracting agent is dissolved in a water immiscible solvent. The water immiscible solvent may be an organic solvent The organic solvent may be a .hydrocarbon, such as a C ₅ - C ₍₆ alfcaae. The concentration of the extracting agent in the solvent ma be from about 15 to about 30% v v, The organic phase containing the extracting agent is added to the pH adjusted aluminium rich liquor 8 in the ratio 1 : 1 , and reacted at from about 40°C to about 60' ^:' C for front about 1 hour to about 2 hours. The resultant organometailic complex contains over 80% of the extracted aluminium. The organic phase containing extracted aluminium 50 can be separated tram the aqueous phase by any suitable means. For example., the organic phase 50 can be separated from the aqueous phase using a nitration membrane, a membrane contactor, a centrifugal contactor, separating funnel, or any other suitable means. The extracted aluminium level can be determined by ICP analysis. A feedback loop can be incorporated to determine the optimal extraction time vs. level of aluminium obtained in the organic phase. The acidic aqueous phase can be evaporated, with re-generation, of hydrochloric acid for .re-use in the acid leaching step 24. The evaporation can be carried out at. from about 130°C to about 200°C. in specific embodiments, the evaporation is carried out al from about 150°C to about 16Q C. Optionally, trace elements can be recovered from the regenerated acid and the trace elements thus obtained can be washed, dried and purifted using standard procedures.

[0044] Aluminium hydroxide 52 can then be recovered from the organic phase 50 by back, extracting the organic phase with an acid in back extraction step 56. For example, 2M to iOM hydrochloric, acid can be added to form, an acidic solution of AT ^1' ions, adjusting the pM to between 2 and 4. In specific embodiments, 8M hydrochloric acid is used to adjust the pH to about 3. The pH can be maintained at. the desired level using a feedback loop. The acidic aqueous phase can be separated from the organic phase by any suitable liquid/liquid separation process, such as by using a filtration, membrane, a membrane contactor or a centrifugal contactor.

[0045] 2M to 10M sodium hydroxide eaa be used to precipitate the aluminium ions as aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)¾) with pH in the region of 6 to 9 in pH adjustment step 58, In specific embodiments, aluminium hydroxide is precipitated using 2M sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH to 6.5. The pH at this stage can be maintained between 6 and 9 using a feedback loop. The precipitated aluminium hydroxide 52 can then be separated from the filtrate by filtration, decanting, cenirifuging, sieving, or any combination thereof. Optionally, the filtrate 60 can be recycled by transferring it to the seawater neutralisation stage 12, thereby minimising liquid waste and maximising extraction yield. Once separated, the precipitate is washed with 2M to lO ^' sodium hydroxide (such as 2M sodium hydroxide) then de nised water, prior to drying under vacuum at from about H0°C to about Π0¾ such as at about I20 ^{' ;} C, Analysis via

XRD/X. F <¾ OD-MS can be used to determine the purity at this stage, and whether further processing is required, i.e. recrystalHzation and/or re-precipitation. The Al(OH)s thus obtained can be calcinated at temperatures of from about 600 ^" 0 to about 1200*C for a period of from about I hour to about 10 hours to yield alumina, which can optionally undergo -further purification steps to yield high purity alumina (HPA) 62. In specific embodiments, the AKOHf, is calcinated at about 800 ^4> C tor about 8 hours. The further purification steps can include washing with solvents, recrystallizatioii in acids and gravimetric separation. The final HPA purity can be determined via XRD/XRF & GD-MS analysis and sorted according to particle size,

[0046] Optionally, titanium dioxide 32 can be obtained from, filtrate 60. Specifically, titanium dioxide 32 can be precipitated from filtrate 60 by evaporation of hydrochloric acid such that the obtained solid titanium dioxide 32 precipitates from solution under hydrolysis at a temperature of lQQ-i30°C. Optionally, the hydrochloric acid gas 34 can be condensed into water and recycled as hydrochloric acid for use in the acid leaching step 24. The solid precipitated titanium dioxide 32 can. then, be filtered and washed as described earlier.

[0047] Preferably, one or more of the stages of the aforementioned processes are controlled and/or monitored to effect a high purity of product in combination with optima! time at: each stage. In-line monitoring of the ongoing process enables the most efficient use of the energy and resources available. Testing performed by analytical, instrumentation allows detection of impurities at quality critical stages. Such testing can be incorporated into feedback, loops, which can be used to control factors such as temperature, crushing speed, pFI level, reagent concentration etc. at individual steps within the process, instrumentation used should be able to detect trace impurities to the degree of parts per million (ppm) and parts per billion (ppb) in order to yield final, products of the magnitude 3N-7N purity.

[0048] Dedicated sampling points within the process allow regular testing and analysis of the starting, intermediate and finished materials. This, together will ihe qualit control outlined above, forms the overriding factor in ensuring product quality,

[0049] Preferably, ail work is performed in a dedicated clean environment, ensuring elimination of contamination/impurities from external sources. Regents and reactants can be controlled and traceable to national standards, utilising ultra-low impurity acid for acid-leaching (e.g. VLSI-grade/ULS!-grade) to prevent introduction of unwanted trace metals. [0050] Management and control of process via international stitndards, which shall include ISO 900 ! for the quality management system, ISO 17025 for the laboratory environment, and additional controls such as ISO 14001 (environmental) and ISO 1 001 (health & safety).

[0051 ] The entirety of the process can be subjected to Strict guidelines with regards to the management and control of waste/environmental impacts, due to the toxic nature attributed to red mud. Although many stages within the process can be controlled independently, several areas have overlap and sharing of resources with neighbouring steps. The following can be controlled throughout: -

• The pM of the neutralisation process is carefully monitored, to ensure any resulting waste

residues are not damaging to the environment. Ail waste seawater discharged will be in the pH range 1-9, and contain levels of toxicity comparable to standard seawater. Hydrotalcites produced at the neutralisation stage are not only harmless, but can be sold as a value-added byproduct, furthermore, waste filtrate at the alumina stage can be recycled for use at the seawater neutralization stage, thereby minimising liquid waste and maximising extraction efficiency of she entire process.

• Acid recycling/regeneration is possible at several stages within, the process, thus reducing the cost of reagents required for acid leach. Recovery rate is estimated to be between 85-90%, based on a combination of regeneration¾vaporatian/filtration and back extractions.

» Waste heat generated throughout has the potential to be stored and transferred to independent steps, thus reducing the overall energ required. For example, waste heat from initial red mud calcination can be used to aid acid leaching at elevated temperature.

• Minimal solid waste is produced during the overall process, with typical impurities of rare earths and rare metals contributing less than 1% to the red mud starting material. These are separated at either the aluminium or silica extraction phase, and can be either neutralised to waste or processed further fox value-added by-products.

[0052] Sample feedback loops incorporated within the process (see above) can be used to minimise heating and reagent costs, by selectively optimising the extraction process over time. This has a direct effect on lowering environmental impact, through optimal control at various critical stages

[0053] it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thai the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements arid/or features described or depicted ^" herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, niodifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

[0054] Throughout the speciiieaiioii and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include ^" ' and variations such as 'Comprising' ^' and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the ex clusion of any other integer at group of integers.

[0055] The reference to any prior art. in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.