A Study on the Extraction of Manganese from Wad Clay by Slurry Electrolysis

In order to process the low-grade wad clay (Mn 4–6%) which is deposited in the central region of D.P.R of Korea, slurry electro leaching method (diaphragm electrolysis) was applied. The effects of the temperature, current density, ratio of liquid to solid (L/S), time and coagulant agent were observed through the basic experiment on slurry electro leaching of the wad clay. The main condition for the slurry electro leaching was as follows: current density 150–200 A/m², temperature >65°C, L/S = 10 : 1, time 1.1 time of theoretical leaching time and amount of the coagulant agent 50 g/t. Under these conditions, the leaching rate was above 95% and the content of Mn in anodic electrodeposits is 45%. Slime in the wad clay greatly affected the purity of MnO₂ formed on the anode.