Vol. 336 No. 7 (2025)

DOI https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2025/7/4745

Complex technology for processing diopside to produce scandium concentrate and mineral products

Relevance. More and more attention is being paid to the search for new raw materials sources of rare earth and trace metals. Diopside is a new and very promising source for the extraction of scandium compounds, which makes it possible to obtain a wide range of inorganic products that ensure economic feasibility of production. Aim. Development of a comprehensive energy- and resource-saving technology for diopside processing to produce scandium concentrate and a wide range of inorganic products. Methods. To study the composition of acidic solutions, the method of atomic emission spectroscopy with magnetic plasma was used. Results and conclusions. The authors have obtained the samples of impregnates based on macroporous activated carbons impregnated with a D2EDPA/TBP mixture. The obtained samples demonstrated a high capacity with respect to scandium compounds, and the abandonment of liquid extraction will significantly increase the level of industrial safety. The use of two innovative re-extractants based on a mixture of ammonium salts or oxyethylidene diphosphonic acid makes it possible to improve the environmental and economic performance of re-extraction. The authors proposed the technology for co-precipitation of scandium compounds using calcium/magnesium oxides. Calcined scandium-containing concentrate contains from 0.8 to 1.4% scandium. The mother liquors of the opening process can be neutralized using magnesium-containing waste to obtain magnesium sulfate, a valuable material for construction, agricultural and other industries. The residues from neutralization can be partially returned to the stage of opening the diopside or used as raw materials for the production of complex titanium-containing coagulants. Developed on the basis of a set of technological methods, the concept scheme is comprehensive and is accompanied by minimal generation of wastewater and solid waste.

Keywords:

diopside, scandium, impregnate, stripping, magnesium sulfate

Authors:

Alexandra D. Zaitseva

Evgenii N. Kuzin

Natalia E. Kruchinina

Sergey S. Galaktionov

Alexander N. Krasnoshchekov