Some studies on recovery of chromium from chromite ore processing residues

This work reports a methodology for near complete mobilization and recovery of chromium from chromite ore processing residues. It has been found that it is possible to mobilize chromium from the residues. Various factors which influence the extent of extraction of chromium from COPR have now been reported. An extraction using sodium peroxide enables leaching of more than 95% of chromium in COPR. The method is selective to the leaching of chromium as demonstrated by EDXRF measurements. Leaching of chromium from COPR using peroxides leads also to significant reduction in particle size. The reaction between residue and oxidant has been found to be biphasic. By combining oxidative and chelative methods, a near complete recovery of chromium and iron from COPR has been possible.