Extraction of manganese from manganese and iron sea nodules

Process feasibility studies have been initiated to determine the possibilities of extraction of manganese and iron from manganese se nodules by coal reduction followed by sulphuric acid leaching route. High volatile coal has been found to be an effective reductant for selective reduction of oxides of manganese sea nodules. The sulphuric acid leaching of the reduced nodules resulted in over 36.0% and 27.0% recovery of manganese and iron respectively, while rejecting nickel, cobalt and copper in the residue. Effect of various parameters for roasting and leaching in extraction of manganese and iron from manganese sea nodules has been reported in this paper.