CA2820631A1 - Processes for treating various materials - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosed processes can be effective for treating various materials comprising several different metals. These materials can be leached with HCI
for obtaining a leachate and a solid. Then, they can be separated from one another and a first metal can be isolated from the leachate. Then, a second metal can further be isolated from the leachate. The first and second metals can each be substantially selectively isolated from the leachate. This can be done by controlling the temperature of the leachate, adjusting pH, further reacting the leachate with HCI, etc. The metals that can be recovered in the form of metal chlorides can eventually be converted into the corresponding metal oxides, thereby allowing for recovering HCI. The various metals can be chosen from aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, cobalt, magnesium, lithium, manganese, nickel, palladium, platinum, thorium, phosphorus, uranium, titanium, rare earth element and rare metals.

Description

PROCESSES FOR TREATING VARIOUS MATERIALS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to improvements in the field of chemistry applied to the treatment of various ores. For example, it relates to processes for treating materials comprising at least one metal chosen from aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, cobalt, magnesium, lithium, manganese, nickel, palladium, platinum, thorium, phosphorus, uranium and titanium, and/or at least one rare earth element and/or at least one rare metal.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] There have been several known processes for the production of alumina, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, hematite, nickel, cobalt rare earth elements, rare metals etc. Many of them have the disadvantage of being inefficient to segregate and extract value added secondary products, thus leaving an important environmental impact.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] According to one aspect, there is provided a process for preparing alumina and optionally other products, the process comprising :
leaching an aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising aluminum ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13, and separating the precipitate from the liquid;
heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting AlC13 into A1203 and recovering gaseous HCI so-produced; and recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration higher than HCI
azeotrope concentration ( 20.2 weight clo) and reacting the composition with a further quantity of aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

[0004] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing alumina and optionally other products, the process comprising :
leaching an aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising aluminum ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13, and separating the precipitate from the liquid;
heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting AlC13 into A1203 and recovering gaseous HCI so-produced; and recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight 'Yo or about 25 to about 45 weight c/o and reacting the composition with a further quantity of aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

[0005] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing alumina and optionally other products, the process comprising :
leaching an aluminum-containing material with HCl so as to obtain a leachate comprising aluminum ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13, and separating the precipitate from the liquid;

heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting AlC13 into A1203 and recovering gaseous HCI so-produced; and recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight "Yo or about 25 to about 45 weight % and using the composition for leaching the aluminum-containing material.
[00061 According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing alumina and optionally other products, the process comprising :
leaching an aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising aluminum ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13, and separating the precipitate from the liquid;
heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting AlC13 into A1203 and recovering gaseous HCI so-produced; and recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with the leachate so as to precipitate the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13=6H20.
(0007] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing alumina and optionally other products, the process comprising :
leaching an aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising aluminum ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13, and separating the precipitate from the liquid; and heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting AlC13 into A1203.
[0008] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing alumina and optionally other products, the process comprising :
leaching an aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising aluminum ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13, and separating the precipitate from the liquid; and heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting AlC13 into A1203 and optionally recovering gaseous HC1 so-produced.
[0009] According to one aspect, there is provided a process for preparing aluminum and optionally other products, the process comprising :
leaching an aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising aluminum ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13, and separating the precipitate from the liquid;
heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting AlC13 into A1203; and converting A1203 into aluminum.
[0010] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing aluminum and optionally other products, the process comprising :

leaching an aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising aluminum ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13, and separating the precipitate from the liquid;
heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting AlC13 into A1203 and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced; and converting A1203 into aluminum.
[0011] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing various products, the process comprising :
leaching a material comprising a first metal with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising ions of the first metal and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising a chloride of the first metal, and separating the precipitate from the liquid; and heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting the chloride of the first metal into an oxide of the first metal.
[0012] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for treating serpentine, the process comprising :
leaching serpentine with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;

reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising MgCl2, and separating the precipitate from the liquid;
and heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting MgCl2 into MgO and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced.
[0013] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for treating serpentine, the process comprising :
leaching serpentine with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising MgC12, and separating the precipitate from the liquid;
and heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting MgCl2 into MgO.
[0014] According to another aspect, there is provided process for treating a magnesium-containing material, the process comprising :
leaching the magnesium-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising MgC12, and separating the precipitate from the liquid;
and heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting MgC12 into MgO and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced.

6 [0015] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for treating a magnesium-containing material, the process comprising :
leaching the magnesium-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions and ions from at least one metal and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate; and precipitating the at least one metal by reacting the leachate with a precipitating agent so as to obtain a liquid comprising the magnesium ions and a precipitate comprising the precipitated at least one metal, and separating the precipitate from the liquid.
[0016] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for treating a material comprising magnesium and at least one other metal, the process comprising :
leaching the material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions and ions from the at least one other metal and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate; and precipitating the at least one other metal by reacting the leachate with a precipitating agent so as to obtain a liquid comprising the magnesium ions and a precipitate comprising the precipitated at least one metal, and separating the precipitate from the liquid;
treating the liquid so as to cause precipitation of Mg(OH)2; and treating the precipitate so as to substantially selectively isolate the at least one metal therefrom.
[0017] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing alumina, the process comprising :

7 leaching an aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising aluminum ions, magnesium ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
substantially selectively precipitating MgC12 from the leachate and removing the MgC12 from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13, and separating the precipitate from the liquid;
heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting AlC13 into A1203 and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced; and heating the MgCl2 under conditions effective for converting it into MgO and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced.
[0018] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing aluminum, the process comprising :
leaching an aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising aluminum ions, magnesium ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
substantially selectively precipitating MgC12 from the leachate and removing the MgC12 from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13, and separating the precipitate from the liquid;
heating the MgC12 under conditions effective for converting it into MgO and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced;

8 heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting AlC13 into A1203 and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced; and converting the A1203 into alumina.
[0019] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for treating serpentine, the process comprising:
leaching serpentine with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
controlling the temperature of the leachate so as to substantially selectively precipitate the magnesium ions in the form of magnesium chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate, thereby obtaining a liquid;
and heating the MgC12 under conditions effective for converting MgCl2 into MgO and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced.
[0020] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for treating a magnesium-containing material, the process comprising :
leaching the magnesium-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions, and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
controlling the temperature of the leachate so as to substantially selectively precipitate the magnesium ions in the form of magnesium chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate, thereby obtaining a liquid;
and heating the MgC12 under conditions effective for converting MgC12 into MgO and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced.

9 [0021] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing various products, the process comprising :
leaching a material comprising a first metal with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising ions of the first metal and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
controlling the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate the the first metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate, reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising a chloride of the second metal, and separating the precipitate from the liquid;
optionally heating the chloride of the first metal under conditions effective for converting it into an oxide of the first metal, and optionally recovering the so-produced HCI; and optionally heating the chloride of the second metal under conditions effective for converting it into an oxide of the second metal, and optionally recovering the so-produced HCI.
[0022] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing various products, the process comprising :
leaching a material comprising a first metal with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising ions of the first metal and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
controlling the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate the the first metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate;

controlling the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate the the second metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate;
optionally heating the chloride of the first metal under conditions effective for converting it into an oxide of the first metal, and optionally recovering the so-produced HCI; and optionally heating the chloride of the second metal under conditions effective for converting it into an oxide of the second metal, and optionally recovering the so-produced HCI.
[0023] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing various products, the process comprising :
leaching a material comprising a first metal with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising ions of the first metal and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a precipitate comprising the first metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a precipitate comprising a second metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate;
optionally heating the chloride of the first metal under conditions effective for converting it into an oxide of the first metal, and optionally recovering the so-produced HCI; and optionally heating the chloride of the second metal under conditions effective for converting it into an oxide of the second metal, and optionally recovering the so-produced HCI.

[0024] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing various products, the process comprising :
leaching a material comprising a first metal with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising ions of the first metal and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
controlling the concentration of HCI in the leachate and/or the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate the first metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate;
controlling the concentration of HCI in the leachate and/or the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate a second metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate;
optionally heating the chloride of the first metal under conditions effective for converting it into an oxide of the first metal, and optionally recovering the so-produced HCI; and optionally heating the chloride of the second metal under conditions effective for converting it into an oxide of the second metal, and optionally recovering the so-produced HCI.
[0025] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing various products, the process comprising :
leaching a material comprising a first metal with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising ions of the first metal and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
controlling the concentration of HCI in the leachate and/or the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate the first metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate;

reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a precipitate comprising a second metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate, optionally heating the chloride of the first metal under conditions effective for converting it into an oxide of the first metal, and optionally recovering the so-produced HCI; and optionally heating the chloride of the second metal under conditions effective for converting it into an oxide of the second metal, and optionally recovering the so-produced HCI.
[0026] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing various products, the process comprising :
leaching a material comprising a first metal with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising ions of the first metal and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a precipitate comprising the first metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate;
controlling the concentration of HCI in the leachate and/or the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate a second metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate;
optionally heating the chloride of the first metal under conditions effective for converting it into an oxide of the first metal, and optionally recovering the so-produced HCI; and optionally heating the chloride of the second metal under conditions effective for converting it into an oxide of the second metal, and optionally recovering the so-produced HCI.

[0027] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing various products, the process comprising:
leaching a material comprising magnesium and iron with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions and iron ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a precipitate comprising magnesium chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate so as to obtain a liquid comprising iron chloride;
treating the liquid under conditions effective for converting the iron chloride into iron oxide and optionally recovering HCI; and optionally heating the magnesium chloride under conditions effective for converting it into magnesium oxide, and optionally recovering the so-produced HCI.
[0028] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing various products, the process comprising:
leaching a material comprising magnesium and iron with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions and iron ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
controlling the concentration of HCI in the leachate and/or the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate magnesium chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate, thereby obtaining a liquid;
treating the liquid under conditions effective for converting the iron chloride into iron oxide and optionally recovering HCI; and optionally heating the magnesium chloride under conditions effective for converting it into magnesium oxide, and optionally recovering NCI.
[0029] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing various products, the process comprising :
leaching a material comprising magnesium, aluminum and iron with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions, aluminum ions and iron ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
controlling the concentration of HCI in the leachate and/or the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate magnesium chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate, reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a precipitate comprising aluminum chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate so as to obtain a liquid comprising iron chloride;
optionally treating the liquid under conditions effective for converting the iron chloride into iron oxide and optionally recovering HCI;
optionally heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting aluminum chloride into into alumina and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced; and optionally heating the magnesium chloride under conditions effective for converting it into magnesium oxide, and optionally recovering HCI.
[0030] According to another aspect, there is provided a process for preparing various products, the process comprising :

leaching a material comprising magnesium, aluminum and iron with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions, aluminum ions and iron ions and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a precipitate comprising aluminum chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate;
controlling the concentration of NCI in the leachate and/or the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate magnesium chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate so as to obtain a liquid comprising iron chloride optionally treating the liquid under conditions effective for converting the iron chloride into iron oxide and optionally recovering HCI;
optionally heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting aluminum chloride into into alumina and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced; and optionally heating the magnesium chloride under conditions effective for converting it into magnesium oxide, and optionally recovering HCI.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0031] In the following drawings, which represent by way of example only, various embodiments of the disclosure:
[0032] Fig. 1 shows a bloc diagram of an example of process for preparing alumina and various other products according to the present disclosure;
[0033] Fig. 2 is an extraction curve for Al and Fe in which the extraction percentage is expressed as a function of a leaching time in a process according to an example of the present application;

[0034] Fig. 3 shows a bloc diagram of another example of process for preparing alumina and various other products according to the present disclosure;
[0035] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of an example of a process for purifying/concentrating HCI according to the present disclosure;
[0036] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of an example of a process for purifying/concentrating HCI according to the present disclosure;
[0037] Fig. 6 shows another bloc diagram of an example of process for preparing alumina and various other products according to the present disclosure;
[0038] Fig. 7 shows another bloc diagram of an example of process for preparing alumina and various other products according to the present disclosure;
[0039] Fig. 8 shows another bloc diagram of an example of process for preparing various products [0040] Fig. 9 shows another bloc diagram of an example of process according to the present disclosure;
[0041] Figs. 10A and 1013 show further bloc diagrams of examples of processes according to the present disclosure;
[0042] Figs. 11A and 11E3 show a further bloc diagrams of examples of processes according to the present disclosure; Figs. 12A and 126 show further bloc diagrams of examples of processes according to the present disclosure;
[0043] Fig. 13 shows another bloc diagram of an example of process for preparing alumina and various other products according to the present disclosure;
[0044] Fig. 14 shows another bloc diagram of an example of process for preparing alumina and various other products according to the present disclosure;

[0045] Fig. 15 shows solubilisation curves of various metal chlorides as a function of HCI concentration;
[0046] Fig. 16 shows solubilisation curves of MgC12 at various temperatures; and [0047] Fig. 17 shows solubilisation curves of various metal chlorides as a function of HCI concentration.
DETAILLED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0048] The following non-limiting examples further illustrate the technology described in the present disclosure.
[0049] The aluminum-containing material can be for example chosen from aluminum-containing ores (such as aluminosillicate minerals, clays, argillite, nepheline, mudstone, beryl, cryolite, garnet, spinel, bauxite, carbonatite, kyanite, kaolin, serpentine or mixtures thereof can be used). The aluminum-containing material can also be a recycled industrial aluminum-containing material such as slag, red mud or fly ashes.
[0050] The expression "red mud" as used herein refers, for example, to an industrial waste product generated during the production of alumina. For example, such a waste product can comprise silica, aluminum, iron, calcium, and optionally titanium. It can also comprise an array of minor constituents such as Na, K, Cr, V, Ni, Ba, Cu, Mn, Pb, and/or Zn etc. For example, red mud can comprises about 15 to about 80 A) by weight of Fe203, about 1 to about 35 % by weight A1203, about 1 to about 65 % by weight of S102, about 1 to about 20 % by weight of Na20, about 1 to about 20 % by weight of CaO, and from 0 to about 35 % by weight of Ti02. According to another example, red mud can comprise about 30 to about 65 % by weight of Fe203, about 10 to about 20 % by weight A1203, about 3 to about 50 % by weight of Si02, about 2 to about 10 % by weight of Na20, about 2 to about 8 % by weight of CaO, and from 0 to about 25 % by weight of Ti02.
[0051] The expression "fly ashes" as used herein refers, for example, to an industrial waste product generated in combustion. For example, such a waste product can contain various elements such as silica, oxygen, aluminum, iron, calcium. For example, fly ashes can comprise silicon dioxide (Si02) and aluminium oxide (A1203). For example, fly ashes can further comprises calcium oxide (CaO) and/or iron oxide (Fe203). For example fly ashes can comprise fine particles that rise with flue gases. For example, fly ashes can be produced during combustion of coal. For example, fly ashes can also comprise at least one element chosen from arsenic, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, chromium VI, cobalt, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, selenium, strontium, thallium, and/or vanadium. For example, fly ashes can also comprise rare earth elements and rare metals. For example, fly ashes can be considered as an aluminum-containing material.
[0052] The expression "slag" as used herein refers, for example, to an industrial waste product comprising aluminum oxide and optionally other oxides such as oxides of calcium, magnesium, iron, and/or silicon.
[0053] The expression "rare earth element" (also described as "REE") as used herein refers, for example, to a rare element chosen from scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium. The expression "rare metals" as used herein refers, for example, to rare metals chosen from indium, zirconium, lithium, and gallium. These rare earth elements and rare metals can be in various form such as the elemental form (or metallic form), under the form of chlorides, oxides, hydroxides etc. The expression "rare earths" as used in the present disclosure as a synonym of "rare earth elements and rare metals" that is described above.
[0054] The expression "at least one iron chloride" as used herein refers to FeCI3 or a mixture thereof.
[0055] The term "hematite" as used herein refers, for example, to a compound comprising oc-Fe203, 7-Fe203, 13-Fe0.0H or mixtures thereof.
[0056] The term "serpentine" as used herein refers, for example, to an ore that comprises Mg and optionally iron. For example, the ore can also comprise nickel, aluminum and/or cobalt. For example, the serpentine can be chosen from antigorite, chrysotile and lizardite.
[0057] The expression "iron ions" as used herein refers, for example to ions comprising to at least one type of iron ion chosen from all possible forms of Fe ions. For example, the at least one type of iron ion can be Fe2+, Fe3+, or a mixture thereof.
[0058] The expression "aluminum ions" as used herein refers, for example to ions comprising to at least one type of aluminum ion chosen from all possible forms of Al ions. For example, the at least one type of aluminum ion can be Al3+.
[0059] The expression "at least one aluminum ion", as used herein refers, for example, to at least one type of aluminum ion chosen from all possible forms of Al ions. For example, the at least one aluminum ion can be Al3+.
[0060] The expression "at least one iron ion", as used herein refers, for example, to at least one type of iron ion chosen from all possible forms of Fe ions. For example, the at least one iron ion can be Fe2+, Fe3+, or a mixture thereof.
[0061] The expression "at least one precipitated iron ion", as used herein refers, for example, to at least one type of iron ion chosen from all possible forms of Fe ions that was precipitated in a solid form. For example, the at least one iron ion present in such a precipitate can be Fe2+, Fe3+, or a mixture thereof.
[0062] Terms of degree such as "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. These terms of degree should be construed as including a deviation of at least 5% or at least 10% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.
[0063] The expression "substantially selectively isolate" as used herein when referring to isolating a compound refers, for example, to isolating such a compound together with less than 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 3, 2 or 1 % of impurities. Such impurities can be other compounds such as other metals.
[0064] The expressions "substantially selectively precipitating", "substantially selectively precipitate" and their equivalents as used herein when referring to precipitating a compound refers, for example, to precipitating such a compound together with less than 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 3, 2 or 1 % of impurities. Such impurities can be other compounds such as other metals.
[0065] For example, the material can be leached with HCI having a concentration of about 10 to about 50 weight %, about 15 to about 45 weight %, of about 18 to about 45 weight % of about 18 to about 32 weight %, of about 20 to about 45 weight %, of about 25 to about 45 weight %, of about 26 to about 42 weight (Y0, of about 28 to about 40 weight %, of about 30 to about 38 weight %, or between 25 and 36 weight %. For example, HCI at about 18 wt % or about 32 wt % can be used.
[0066] Leaching can also be carried out by adding dry highly concentrated acid ( for example, 85 %, 90 % or 95 %) in gas phase into the aqueous solution. Alternatively, leaching can also be carried out by using a weak acid solution (for example < 3 wt %).
[0067] For example, leaching can be carried out by using HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 32 wt % in a first reactor and then, by using HCI having concentration of about 90 to about 95 %, or about 95 to about 100 % (gaseous) in a second reactor.
[0068] For example, leaching can be carried out by using HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 32 wt % in a first reactor then, by using HCI having concentration of about 90 to about 95 % (gaseous) in a second reactor; and by using HCI having concentration of about 90 to about 95 %
(gaseous) in a third reactor.
[0069] For example, leaching can be carried out under an inert gas atmosphere (for example argon or nitrogen).

[0070] For example, leaching can be carried out under an atmosphere of NH3.
[0071] For example, the material can be leached at a temperature of about 125 to about 225 C, about 150 to about 200 C, about 160 to about 190 C, about 185 to about 190 C, about 160 to about 180 C, about 160 to about 175 C, or about 165 to about 170 C.
[0072] For example, the material can be leached at a pressure of about 4 to about 10 barg, about 4 to about 8 barg, or about 5 to about 6 barg.
[0073] For example a first leaching can be carried out at atmospheric pressure and then, at least one further leaching (for example 1, 2 or 3 subsequent leaching steps) can be carried out under pressure.
[0074] For example, leaching can be a continuous leaching or semi-continous.
[0075] For example, the material can be an aluminum-containing material.
[0076] For example, the material can be an iron-containing material.
[0077] For example, the material can be a zinc-containing material.
[0078] For example, the material can be a copper-containing material.
[0079] For example, the material can be a gold-containing material.
[0080] For example, the material can be a silver-containing material.
[0081] For example, the material can be a molybdenum-containing material.
[0082] For example, the m?terial can be a cobalt-containing material.
[0083] For example, the material can be a magnesium-containing material.
[0084] For example, the material can be a lithium-containing material.
[0085] For example, the material can be a manganese-containing material.
[0086] For example, the material can be a nickel-containing material.
[0087] For example, the material can be a palladium-containing material.

[0088] For example, the material can be a platinum-containing material.
[0089] For example, the material can be a magnesium-containing material.
[0090] For example, the material can be a lithium-containing material.
[0091] For example, the material can be a thorium-containing material.
[0092] For example, the material can be a phosphorus-containing material.
[0093] For example, the material can be a an uranium-containing material.
[0094] For example, the material can be a titanium-containing material.
[0095] For example, the material can be a rare earth elements-containing material.
[0096] For example, the material can be a rare metal-containing material.
[0097] The processes of the present disclosure can be effective for treating various materials. The at least one material can be an aluminum-containing material, The aluminum-containing material can be an aluminum-containing ore. For example, clays, argillite, mudstone, beryl, cryolite, garnet, spinel, bauxite, serpentine or mixtures thereof can be used as starting material. The aluminum-containing material can also be a recycled industrial aluminum-containing material such as slag. The aluminum-containing material can also be red mud.
[0098] The at least one material can be a nickel-containing material. The nickel-containing material can be a nickel-containing ore.
[0099] The at least one material can be a zinc-containing material. The zinc-containing material can be a zinc-containing ore.
[00100] The at least one material can be a copper-containing material. The copper-containing material can be a copper-containing ore.
[00101] The at least one material can be a titanium-containing material. The titanium-containing material can be a titanium-containing ore.
[00102] The at least one material can be a magnesium-containing material.
The magnesium-containing material can be a magnesium-containing ore.

[00103] The processes of the present disclosure can be effective for treating various nickel-containing ores. For example, niccolite, kamacite, taenite, limonite, garnierite, laterite, pentlandite, serpentine, or mixtures thereof can be used.
[00104] The processes of the present disclosure can be effective for treating various zinc-containing ores. For example, smithsonite, warikahnite, sphalerite, serpentine or mixtures thereof can be used.
[00105] The processes of the present disclosure can be effective for treating various copper-containing ores. For example, copper-containing oxide ores, can be used. For example, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, covellite, bornite, tetrahedrite, malachite, azurite, cuprite, chrysocolla, or mixtures thereof can also be used.
[00106] The processes of the present disclosure can be effective for treating various titanium-containing ores. For example, ecandrewsite, geikielite, pyrophanite, ilmenite, or mixtures thereof can be used.
[00107] The processes of the present disclosure can be effective for treating various magnesium-containing ores. For example, the magnesium-containing ore can be chosen from serpentine, asbestos, antigorite, chrysotile, lizardite, brucite, magnesite, dolomite, kieserite, bischofite, langbeinite, epsomite, kainite, carnallite, astrakanite, laterite, qeikielite and polyhalite.
[00108] For example, in the processes, the leachate can be treated with HCI
that is in gaseous form.
[00109] For example, the processes can comprise reacting the leachate with gaseous HCI so as to obtain the liquid and the precipitate comprising the first metal under the form of a chloride.
[00110] For example, the processes can comprise reacting the leachate with dry gaseous HCI so as to obtain the liquid and the precipitate comprising the first metal under the form of a chloride.
[00111] For example, precipitating AlC13 can comprise crystallizing AlC13.6H20.

[00112] For example, the processes can comprise reacting the leachate with acid of at least 30% wt. that was recovered, regenerated and/or purified as indicated in the present disclosure so as to obtain the liquid and the precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13.6H20.
[00113] For example, the orocesses can further comprise recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight % or 25 to about 45 weight %.
[00114] For example, the processes can further comprise recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight ')/0 or about 25 to about 45 weight % and using the composition for leaching the material.
[00115] For example, the liquid can comprise iron chloride. Iron chloride can comprise at least one of FeCl2, FeCl3, and a mixture thereof.
[00116] For example, the liquid can have an iron chloride concentration of at least 30% by weight; and can then be hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 C.
[00117] For example, the liquid can be concentrated to a concentrated liquid having an iron chloride concentration of at least 30% by weight; and then the iron chloride can be hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 C
while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65%
by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite, and recovering the hematite.
[00118] For example, non-hydrolysable elements with hematite can be concentrated back to a concentration of about 0.125 to about 52 % wt. in circulation loop in view of selective extraction.
[00119] For example, the liquid can be concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of the at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 C.

[00120] For example, the liquid can be concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of the at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then the at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 C while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65% by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite, and recovering the hematite.
[00121] For example, the liquid can be concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of the at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then the at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 C while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65% by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite; recovering the hematite; and recovering rare earth elements and/or rare metals from the liquid.
[00122] For example, the at least one iron chloride can be hydrolyzed at a temperature of about, 150 to about 175, 160 to about 175, 155 to about 170, 160 to about 170 or 165 to about 170 C.
[00123] For example, the liquid can be concentrated to a concentrated liquid having an iron chloride concentration of at least 30% by weight; and then the iron chloride can be hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 C
while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65%
by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite; recovering the hematite; and recovering rare earth elements and/or rare metals from the liquid.
[00124] For example, the processes can further comprise, after recovery of the rare earth elements and/or rare metals, reacting the liquid with HCI so as to cause precipitation of MgCl2, and recovering same.
[00125] For example, the processes can further comprise calcining MgCl2 into MgO.
[00126] For example, the processes can further comprises, after recovery of the rare earth elements and/or rare metals, reacting the liquid with HCI, and substantially selectively precipitating Na2SO4. For example, Na2SO4 can be precipitated by reacting the liquid with H2SO4.
[00127] For example, the processes can further comprises, after recovery of the rare earth elements and/or rare metals, reacting the liquid with HCI, and substantially selectively precipitating K2SO4. For example,K2SO4 can be precipitated by adding H2SO4.
[00128] For example, the liquid can be concentrated to a concentrated liquid having an iron chloride concentration of at least 30% by weight; and then the iron chloride can be hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 C
while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65%
by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite; recovering the hematite; and reacting the liquid with HCI.For example, such processes can further comprises reacting the liquid with H2SO4 so as to substantially selectively precipitate Na2SO4. The processes can also comprise further reacting the liquid with H2SO4 so as to substantially selectively precipitating K2SO4.
[00129] For example, the processes can comprise reacting dry individual salts (for example Na or K salts) obtained during the processes with H2SO4 and recovering HCI while producing marketable K2SO4 and Na2SO4 and recovering hydrochloric acid of about 15 to about 90 A wt.
[00130] For example, sodium chloride produced in the processes can undergo a chemical reaction with sulfuric acid so as to obtain sodium sulfate and regenerate hydrochloric acid. Potassium chloride can undergo a chemical reaction with sulfuric acid so as to obtain potassium sulfate and regenerate hydrochloric acid. Sodium and potassium chloride brine solution can alternatively be the feed material to adapted small chlor-alkali electrolysis cells. In this latter case, common bases (NaOH and KOH) and bleach (Na0C1 and KOCI) are produced.
[00131] For example, the processes can further comprise, after recovery of the rare earth elements and/or rare metals, recovering NaCI from the liquid, reacting the NaCI with H2SO4, and substantially selectively precipitating Na2SO4.
[00132] For example, the processes can further comprise, downstream of recovery of the rare earth elements and/or rare metals, recovering KCI from the liquid, reacting the KCl with H2SO4, and substantially selectively precipitating K2S0.4.
[00133] For example, the processes can further comprise, downstream of recovery of the rare earth elements and/or rare metals, recovering NaCI from the liquid, carrying out an electrolysis to generate NaOH and Na0C1.
[00134] For example, the processes can further comprise, downstream of recovery of the rare earth elements and/or rare metals, recovering KCI from the liquid, reacting the KCI, carrying out an electrolysis to generate KOH and KOCI.
[00135] For example, the liquid can be concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of the at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then the at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 C while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65% by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite; recovering the hematite; and extracting NaCI

and/or KCI from the liquid.
[00136] For example, the processes can further comprise reacting the NaCI
with H2SO4 so as to substantially selectively precipitate Na2SO4.
[00137] For example, the processes can further comprise reacting the KCI
with H2SO4 so as to substantially selectively precipitate K2SO4.
[00138] For example, the processes can further comprise carrying out an electrolysis of the NaCI to generate NaOH and Na0C1.
[00139] For example, the processes can further comprise carrying out an electrolysis of the KCI to generate KOH and KOCI.
[00140] For example, the processes can comprise separating the solid from the leachate and washing the solid so as to obtain silica having a purity of at least 95 '%, at least 96%, at last 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, at least 99.5 % or at least 99.9%.
[00141] For example, the processes can comprise reacting the leachate with gaseous HCI so as to obtain the liquid and the precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13.6H20.
[00142] For example, the processes can comprise reacting the leachate with dry gaseous HCI so as to obtain the liquid and the precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13=6H20.
[00143] For example, the processes can comprise reacting the leachate with acid of at least 30% wt. that was recovered, regenerated and/or purified as indicated in the present disclosure so as to obtain the liquid and the precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13=6H20.
[00144] For example, the processes can comprise reacting the leachate with gaseous HCI so as to Ix:3in the liquid and the precipitate comprising the aluminum ions, the precipitate being formed by crystallization of AlC13=6H20.
[00145] For example, the processes can comprise reacting the leachate with dry gaseous HCI so as to obtain the liquid and the precipitate comprising the aluminum ions, the precipitate being formed by crystallization of AlC13.6H20.
[00146] For example, aluminum ions can be precipitated under the form of AlC13 (for example AlC13.6H20) in a crystallizer, for example, by adding HCI
having a concentration of about 26 to about 32 wt %.
[00147] For example, the gaseous HCI can have a HCI concentration of at least 85 % wt. or at least 90 % wt.
[00148] For example, the gaseous HCI can have a HCI concentration of about 90 % wt., about 90 % to about 95 A) wt., or about 90 % to about 99 %
wt..

[00149] For example, during the crystallization of AlC13=6H20, the liquid can be maintained at a concentration of HCI of about 25 to about 35 % by weight or about 30 to about 32 % by weight.
[00150] For example, the crystallization can be carried out at a temperature of about 45 to about 65 C or about 50 to about 60 C.
[00151] For example, the HCI can be obtained from the gaseous HCI so-produced.
[00152] For example, in the processes of the present disclosure, a given batch or quantity of the material will be leached, will then be converted into AlC13 and when the HCI generated during calcination of AlC13 into A1203 will be used for example to leach another given batch or quantity of the material.
[00153] For example, the processes can comprise heating the precipitate at a temperature of at least 180, 230, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 925, 930, 1000, 1100, 1200 or 1250 C for converting AlC13 into A1203.
[00154] For example, converting AlC13 into A1203 can comprise calcination of AlC13.
[00155] For example, calcination is effective for converting AlC13 into beta-A1203.
[00156] For example, calcination is effective for converting AlC13 into alpha-A1203.
[00157] For example, converting AlC13 into A1203 can comprise carrying out a calcination via a two-stage circulating fluid bed reactor.
[00158] For example, converting AlC13 into A1203 can comprise carrying out a calcination via a two-stage circulating fluid bed reactor that comprises a preheating system.
[00159] For example, converting AlC13 into A1203 can comprise carrying out a calcination at low temperature, for example, about 300 to about 600 C, about 325 to about 550 C, about 350 to about 500 C, about 375 to about 450 C, about 375 to about 425 C, or about 385 to about 400 C and/or injecting steam.
[00160] For example, converting AlC13 into A1203 can comprise carrying out a calcination at low temperature, for example, at least 180 C, at least 250 C, at least 300 C, at least 350 C and/or injecting steam.
[00161] For example, converting AlC13 into A1203 can comprise carrying out a calcination at low temperature, for example, less than 600 00 and/or injecting steam.
[00162] For example, converting AlC13 into A1203 can comprise carrying out a calcination by using coal as combustion source and by using a degasification unit.
[00163] For example, steam (or water vapor) can be injected at a pressure of about 200 to about 700 psig, about 300 to about 700 psig, about 400 to about 700 psig, about 550 to about 650 psig, about 575 to about 625 psig, or about 590 to about 610 psig.
[00164] For example, steam (or water vapor) can be injected and a plasma torch can be used for carrying fluidization.
[00165] For example, the steam (or water vapor) can be overheated.
[00166] For example, the steam (or water vapor) can be at a temperature of about 300 to about 400 C.
[00167] For example, acid from the offgases generated during calcination can be then treated via a gas phase purification process.
[00168] For example, converting AlC13 into A1203 can comprise carrying out a calcination by means of carbon monoxide (CO).
[00169] For example, converting AlC13 into A1203 can comprise carrying out a calcination by means of a Refinery Fuel Gas (RFG).
[00170] For example, calcination can be carried out by injecting water vapor or steam and/or by using a combustion source chosen from fossil fuels, carbon monoxide, a Refinery Fuel Gas, coal, or chlorinated gases and/or solvants.
[00171] For example, calcination can be carried out by injecting water vapor or steam and/or by using a combustion source chosen from natural gas or propane.
[00172] For example, calcination can be carried out by providing heat by means of electric heating, gas heating, microwave heating.
[00173] The obtained alumina can be washed by demineralized water so as to at least partially remove NaCI and/or KCI.
[00174] For example, the fluid bed reactor can comprise a metal catalyst chosen from metal chlorides.
[00175] For example, thee fluid bed reactor can comprise a metal catalyst that is FeC13, FeCl2 or a mixture thereof.
[00176] For example, the fluid bed reactor can comprise a metal catalyst that is FeCI3.
[00177] For example, the preheating system can comprise a plasma torch.
[00178] For example, steam can be used as the fluidization medium heating. Heating can also be electrical.
[00179] For example, a plasma torch can be used for preheating the calcination reactor.
[00180] For example, a plasma torch can be used for preheating air entering in the calcination reactor.
[00181] For example, a plasma torch can be used for preheating a fluid bed.
[00182] For example, the calcination medium can be substantially neutral in terms of 02 (or oxidation). For example, the calcination medium can favorize reduction (for example a concentration of CO of about 100 ppm).
[00183] For example, the calcination medium is effective for preventing formation of 012.

[00184] For example, the processes can comprise converting Al013=6H20 into A1203 by carrying out a calcination of AlC13.6H20 that is provided by the combustion of gas mixture that comprises:
CH4 : 0 to about 1% vol;
C2H6 : 0 to about 2% vol;
C3H8 : 0 to about 2% vol;
C4H10 : 0 to about 1% vol;
N2: 0 to about 0.5% VOI:
H2: about 0.25 to about 15.1 % vol;
CO: about 70 to about 82.5 % vol; and CO2: about 1.0 to about 3.5% vol.
[00185] Such a mixture can be efficient for reduction in off gas volume of 15.3 to 16.3%; therefore the capacity increases of 15.3 to 16.3 A proven on practical operation of the circulating fluid bed. Thus for a same flow it represents an Opex of 0.65*16.3% = 10.6%.
[00186] For example, the air to natural gas ratio of (Nm3/h over Nm3/h) in the fluid bed can be about 9.5 to about 10 [00187] For example, the air to CO gas ratio of (Nm3/h over Nm3/h) in the fluid bed can be about 2 to about 3.
[00188] For example, the processes can comprise, before leaching the material, a pre-leaching removal of fluorine optionally contained in the material.
[00189] For example, the processes can comprise leaching of the material with HCI so as to obtain the leachate comprising aluminum ions and the solid, separating the solid from the leachate; and further treating the solid so as to separate Si02 from TiO2 that are contained therein.

[00190] For example, the processes can comprise leaching the material with HCI so as to obtain the leachate comprising aluminum ions and the solid, separating the solid from the leachate; and further treating the solid with HCI
so as to separate Si from Ti that are contained therein.
[00191] For example, the processes can comprise leaching the material with HCI so as to obtain the leachate comprising aluminum ions and the solid, separating the solid from the leachate; and further treating the solid with HCI
at a concentration of less than 20 % wt., at a temperature of less than 85 C, in the presence of MgCl2, so as to separate Si from Ti that are contained therein.
[00192] For example, converting AlC13 into A1203 can comprise carrying out a one-step calcination.
[00193] For example, calcination can be carried out at different temperatures with steam. Temperature applied of superheated steam can be of about 350 C to about 550 C or about 350 C to about 940 C or about 350 C
to about 1200 C.
[00194] For example, multi stage evaporation step of the hydrolyser can be carried out to reduce drastically energy consumption.
[00195] For example, the processes can be effective for providing an A1203 recovery yield of at least 93 %, at least 94 %, at least 95 %, about 90 to about 95 %, about 92 to about 95 %, or about 93 to about 95 %.
[00196] For example, the processes can be effective for providing a Fe203 recovery yield of at least 98 %, at least 99 %, about 98 to about 99.5 %, or about 98.5 to about 99.5 %.
[00197] For example, the processes can be effective for providing a MgO
recovery yield of at least 96 %, at least 97 %, at least 98 %, or about 96 to about 98 %.
[00198] For example, the processes can be effective for providing a HCI
recovery yield of at least 98 %, at least 99 %, or about 98 to about 99.9 %

[00199] For example, the processes can be effective for providing chlorides of rare earth elements (REE-CI) and chlorides of rare metals (RM-CI) in recovery yields of about 75 % to about 96.5 % by using internal processes via an internal concentration loop.
[00200] For example, the processes can be effective for providing hydrochloric acid recovery yield of about 99.75 '% with non-hydrolysable elements.
[00201] For example, the material can be argillite.
[00202] For example, the material can be bauxite.
[00203] For example, the material can be red mud.
[00204] For example, the material can be fly ashes.
[00205] For example, the material can be chosen from industrial refractory materials.
[00206] For example, the material chosen from aluminosilicate minerals.
[00207] For example, the plocesses can be effective for avoiding producing red mud.
[00208] For example, the alumina and the other products are substantially free of red mud.
[00209] For example, HCI can be recycled. For example, such a recycled HCI can be concentrated and/or purified.
[00210] For example, gaseous HCI can be concentrated and/or purified by means of H2SO4. For example, gaseous HCI can be passed through a packed column where it is contacted with a H2SO4 countercurrent flow. For example, by doing so, concentration of HCI can be increased by at least 50 % wt., at least 60 ')/0 wt., at least 70 % wt., at least 75 % wt., at least 80 % wt., about 50 ')/0 wt. to about 80 % wt., about 55 % wt. to about 75 % wt., or about 60 %

wt. For example, the column can be packed with a polymer such as polypropylene(PP) or polytrim3thylene terephthalate (PTT).

[00211] For example, gaseous HCI can be concentrated and/or purified by means of CaCl2 or LiCI. For example, gaseous HCI can be passed through a column packed with CaCl2 or LiCI.
[00212] For example, AlC13.6H20 obtained in the processes of the present disclosure can be further purified as descriobed in US 61/726,079, that is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[00213] For example, MgCl2 can be substantially selectively precipitated from the leachate and removed therefrom and then, the leachate can be reacted with HCI so as to obtain the liquid and the precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13, and separating the precipitate from the liquid.
[00214] For example, the leachate can be reacted with HCI so as to obtain the liquid and the precipitate comprising the aluminum ions in the form of AlC13, and separating the precipitate from the liquid, and then the MgC12 is substantially selectively precipitated from the leachate and removed therefrom.
[00215] For example, the aluminum-containing material can beleached with HCI so as to obtain the leachate comprising aluminum ions, magnesium ions and the solid, and the solid is separated from the leachate at a temperature of at least 50, 60, 75 or 100 C. For example, a filtration can be carried out and the temperature of the leachate can have a value as previously indicated.
[00216] For example, MgC12 can be substantially selectively precipitated from the leachate at a temperature of about 5 to about 70 C, about 10 to about 60 C, about 10 to about 40 C, or about 15 to about 30 C.
[00217] For example, the processes can comprise, before reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain the liquid and the precipitate, controlling the temperature of the leachate so as to substantially selectively precipitate a second metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate.

[00218] For example, the processes can comprise, after reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain the liquid and the precipitate, controlling the temperature of the leachate so as to substantially selectively precipitate a second metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate.
[00219] For example, the processes can further comprises treating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting the chloride of the first metal it into an oxide of the first metal and optionally recovering gaseous HCI
so-produced.
[00220] For example, the processes can further comprises treating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting the chloride of the second metal it into an oxide of the second metal and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced.
[00221] For example, the solid can be treated with HCI and the metal chloride so as to obtain a liquid portion comprising Ti and a solid portion containing Si and wherein the liquid portion is separated from the solid portion.
[00222] For example, the solid can be treated with HCI and the metal chloride so as to obtain a liquid portion comprising TiCI4.
[00223] For example, the process can further comprise converting TiCI4 into Ti02.
[00224] For example, TiCI4 can be converted into TiO2 by solvent extraction of the third liquid fraction and subsequent formation of titanium dioxide from the solvent extraction.
[00225] For example, TiCI4 can be reacted with water and/or a base to cause precipitation of TiO2.
[00226] For example, TiCI4 can be converted into TiO2 by means of a pyrohydrolysis, thereby generating HCI.
[00227] For example, TiCI4 can be converted into TiO2 by means of a pyrohydrolysis, thereby generating HCI that is recycled.

[00228] For example, the metal chloride can be MgC12 or ZnC12.
[00229] For example, the solid can comprise TiO2 and S102 and the solid is treated with Cl2 and carbon in order to obtain a liquid portion and a solid portion, and wherein the solid portion and the liquid portion are separated from one another.
[00230] For example, the liquid portion can comprise TiC12 and/or TiCia=
[00231] For example, the liquid portion can comprise TiCI4.
[00232] For example, the process can further comprise heating TiCI4 so as to convert it into Ti02.
[00233] For example, the obtained TiO2 can be purified by means of a plasma torch.
[00234] For example, the various products obtained by the processes of the present disclosure such as alumina, hematite, titanium oxides, magnesium oxides, rare earth elements and rare metals can be further purified by means of a plasma torch. For example, the rare earth elements and rare metals, once isolated, can be individually injected into a plasma torch so as to further purify them.
[00235] For example, the processes can further comprise converting alumina (A1203) into aluminum. Conversion of alumina into aluminum can be carried out, for example, by using the Hall¨Heroult process. References is made to such a well known process in various patents and patent applications such as US 20100065435; US 20020056650; US 5,876,584; US 6,565,733.
Conversion can also be carried out by means of other methods such as those described in US 7,867,373; US 4,265,716; US 6,565,733 (converting alumina into aluminum sulfide followed by the conversion of aluminum sulfide into aluminum.). For example, aluminium can be produced by using a reduction environment and carbon at temperature below 200 C. Aluminum can also be produced by reduction using potassium and anhydrous aluminum chloride ( Wohler Process).

[00236] For example, controlling the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate the the first metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate, can be carried out before reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising a chloride of the second metal, and separating the precipitate from the liquid.
[00237] For example, controlling the temperature of the Ieachate so as to precipitate the the first metal in the form of a chloride, and removing the precipitate from the leachate, can be carried out after reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising a chloride of the second metal, and separating the precipitate from the liquid.
[00238] For example, reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a precipitate comprising the first metal in the form of a chloride, can be carried out by substantially selectively precipitating the first metal chloride.
[00239] For example, reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a precipitate comprising the second metal in the form of a chloride, can be carried out by substantially selectively precipitating the second metal chloride, [00240] For example, controlling the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate the the first metal in the form of a chloride can be carried out substantially selectively.
[00241] For example, controlling the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate the second metal in the form of a chloride can be carried out substantially selectively.
[00242] For example, controlling the concentration of HCI in the leachate and/or the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate the first metal in the form of a chloride, can be carried out substantially selectively.
[00243] For example, controlling the concentration of HCI in the leachate and/or the temperature of the leachate so as to precipitate the second metal in the form of a chloride, can be carried out substantially selectively.

[00244] For example, the first metal can chosen from aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, cobalt, magnesium, lithium, manganese, nickel, palladium, platinum, thorium, phosphorus, uranium and titanium, and/or at least one rare earth element and/or at least one rare metal [00245] For example, the liquid can comprise a second metal.
[00246] For example, the second metal can be chosen from aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, cobalt, magnesium, lithium, manganese, nickel, palladium, platinum, thorium, phosphorus, uranium and titanium, and/or at least one rare earth element and/or at least one rare metal [00247] For example, the process can comprise separating the precipitate from the liquid and heating the second metal in order to convert a chloride of the second metal into an oxide of the second metal.
[00248] For example, the second metal can be magnesium.
[00249] For example, the second metal can be aluminum.
[00250] For example, the first metal can be aluminum and the second metal can be magnesium.
[00251] For example, the second metal can be aluminum and the first metal can be magnesium.
[00252] For example, the processes can comprise:
separating the solid from the leachate;
leaching the solid with an acid so as to obtain another leachate; and recovering a third metal from the another leachate.
[00253] For example, the third metal can be chosen from aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, cobalt, magnesium, lithium, manganese, nickel, palladium, platinum, thorium, phosphorus, uranium and titanium, and/or at least one rare earth element and/or at least one rare metal.

[00254] For example, the third metal can be titanium.
[00255] For example, the acid can be chosen from HCI, HNO3, H2SO4 and mixtures thereof.
[00256] For example, the process can comprise recovering the third metal from the another leachate by precipitating the third metal.
[00257] For example, the third metal can be precipitated by reacting it with HCI.
[00258] For example, the process can further comprise heating the third metal in order to convert a chloride of the third metal into an oxide of the third metal.
[00259] For example, the first metal can be magnesium.
[00260] For example, the first metal can be nickel.
[00261] For example, the second metal can be magnesium.
[00262] For example, the second metal can be nickel.
[00263] For example, the process can comprise reacting the leachate with gaseous HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising MgCl2.
[00264] For example, the process comprises reacting the leachate with gaseous HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising MgC12.
[00265] For example, NaCl recovered from the processes of the present disclosure can be reacted with SO2, so as to produce HCI and Na2SO4. Such a reaction that is an exothermic reaction can generate steam that can be used to activate a turbine and eventually produce electricity.
[002661 For example, U and/or Th can be tretaed with the processes of the present disclosure. For example, these two elements can be in such processes in admixtures with iron ions and they can be separated therefrom by means of at least one ion exchange resin.
[00267] For example, the processes can comprise substantially selectively precipitating the magnesium ions by reacting the leachate with the precipitating agent.

[00268] For example, the precipitating agent can be Mg(OH)2.
[00269] For example, the at least one metal can be nickel.
[00270] For example, the at least one metal can be cobalt.
[00271] For example, the at least one metal can be iron.
[00272] For example, the at least one metal can be aluminum.
[00273] In the processes of ale present disclosure, when the material to be treated comprises aluminum and magnesium, magnesium can be first removed from the leachate by controlling temperature of said leachate so as to substantially selectively cause precipitation (or crystallization) of MgC12, remove it from the leachate and then substantially selectively cause precipitation of AlC13 by reacting the leachate with HCI (for example gaseous NCI). Alternatively, the leachate can be reacted with HCI to substantially selectively cause precipitation (or crystallization) of AlC13 (for example gaseous HCI). In such a case the temperature can be maintained for example above 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 C. AlC13 is then removed from the leachate and then, temperature of the leachate is controlled so as to substantially selectively cause precipitation of MgC12. Depending on the concentration of Al vs Mg in the starting material one scenario or the other can be selected. For example, if the concentration of Mg is greater than the concentration of Al, Mg can be removed first from the leachate. For example, if the concentration of Al is greater than the concentration of Mg, Al can be removed first from the leachate.
[00274] In the processes of the present disclosure, when the material to be treated comprises aluminum, iron and magnesium. Magnesium can be first removed from the leachate by controlling temperature of said leachate so as to substantially selectively cause precipitation (or crystallization) of MgCl2, remove it from the leachate and then substantially selectively cause precipitation of AlC13 by reacting the leachate with HCI (for example gaseous HCI). Then, the remaining composition comprising iron chloride can be treated so as to convert iron chloride into iron oxide by using one of the methods discussed in the present disclosure. Alternatively, the leachate can be reacted with HCI to substantially selectively cause precipitation (or crystallization) of AlC13 (for example gaseous HCI). In such a case the temperature can be maintained for example above 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 C.
AlC13 is then removed from the leachate and then, temperature of the leachate is controlled so as to substantially selectively cause precipitation of MgCl2.

Then, the remaining composition comprising iron chloride can be treated so as to convert iron chloride into iron oxide by using the methods discussed in the present disclosure..
[00275] According to one example as shown in Fig. 1, the processes can involve the following steps (the reference numbers in Fig. 1 correspond to the following steps) :
1- The aluminum-containing material is reduced to an average particle size of about 50 to about 80 pm.
2- The reduced and classified material is treated with hydrochloric acid which allows for dissolving, under a predetermined temperature and pressure, the aluminum with other elements like iron, magnesium and other metals including rare earth elements and/or rare metals. The silica and titanium (if present in raw material) remain totally undissolved.
3- The mother liquor from the leaching step then undergoes a -separation, a cleaning stage in order to separate the solid from the metal chloride in solution.
4- The spent acid (!eachate) obtained from step 3 is then brought up in concentration with dry and highly concentrated gaseous hydrogen chloride by sparging this one into a crystallizer. This results into the crystallization of aluminum chloride hexahydrate (precipitate) with a minimum of other impurities. Depending on the concentration of iron chloride at this stage, further crystallization step(s) can be required. The precipitate is then separated from the liquid. For example, particle size of crystals can be about 100 to about 500 microns, about 200 to about 400 microns, or about 200 to about 300 microns. Alternatively, particle size of crystals can be about 100 to about 200 microns, about 300 to about 400 microns or about 400 to 500 microns.
5- The aluminum chloride hexahydrate is then calcined (for example by means of a rotary kiln, fluid bed, etc) at high temperature in order to obtain the alumina form. Highly concentrated gaseous hydrogen chloride is then recovered and excess is brought in aqueous form to the highest concentration possible so as to be used (recycled) in the acid leaching step.
Acid can also be directly sent in gas phase to the acid purification stage to increase FICI concentration from about 30 wt % to about 95 wt %. This can be done, for example, during drying stage.
6- Iron chloride (the liquid obtained from step 4) is then pre-concentrated and hydrolyzed at low temperature in view of the Fe203 (hematite form) extraction and acid recovery from its hydrolysis. All heat recovery from the calcination step (step 5), the leaching part exothermic reaction (step 1) and other section of the processes is being recovered into the pre-concentrator.

10- After the removal of hematite, a solution rich in rare earth elements and/or rare metals can be processed. As it can be seen in Fig.3, an internal recirculation can be done (after the removal of hematite) and the solution rich in rare earth elements and/or rare metals can be used for crystallization stage 4. Extraction of the rare earth elements and/or rare metals can be done as described in WO/2012/126092 and/or WO/2012/149642. These two documents are hereby integrated by reference in their entirety.
Other non-hydrolysabls metal chlorides (Me-CI) such as MgCl2 and others then undergo the following steps:
7- The solution rich in magnesium chloride and other non-hydrolysable products at low temperature is then brought up in concentration with dry and highly concentrated gaseous hydrogen chloride by sparging it into a crystallizer. This results into the precipitation of magnesium chloride as an hexahydrate, for example after sodium and potassium chloride removal.
8- Magnesium chloride hexahydrate is then calcined (either through a rotary kiln, fluid bed, etc.) and hydrochloric acid at very high concentration is thus regenerated and brought back to the leaching step.
9- Other Me-CI undergo a standard pyrohydrolysis step where mixed oxides (Me-0) can be produced and hydrochloric acid at the azeotropic point (20.2% wt.) is regenerated.

11- Ti contained in the solid obtained from step 3 can be treated so as to separate Si from Ti and thus obtain Si02 and TiO2.
[00276] NaCI produced in this process can undergo chemical reaction with H2SO4 to produce Na2SO4 and HCI at a concentration at or above azeotropic concentration. Moreover, KCI can undergo chemical reaction with H2SO4 to produce K2SO4 and HCI having a concentration that is above the azeotropic concentration. Sodium and potassium chloride brine solution can be the feed material to adapted small chlor-alkali electrolysis cells. In this latter case, common bases (NaOH and KOH) and bleach (Na0C1 and KOCI) are produced as well as HCI.
[00277] For example, the liquid can be concentrated to a concentrated liquid having an iron chloride concentration of at least 30% by weight; and then the iron chloride can be hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 C
while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65%
by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite, and recovering the hematite.
[00278] For example, the liquid can be concentrated to a concentrated liquid having an iron chloride concentration of at least 30% by weight; and then the iron chloride can be hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 C
while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65%
by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite; recovering the hematite; and recovering rare earth elements and/or rare metals from the liquid. For example, the process can further comprise, after recovery of the rare earth elements and/or rare metals, reacting the liquid with HCI so as to cause precipitation of MgCl2, and recovering same.
[00279] As previously indicated, various aluminum-containing materials can be used as starting material of the processes disclosed in the present disclosure. Examples with clays and bauxite have been carried out. However, the person skilled in the art will understand that the continuous processes can handle high percentages of silica (>55%) and impurities as well as relatively low percentages of aluminum (for example as low as about 15%) and still being economically and technically viable. Satisfactory yields can be obtained (>93-95%) on A1203 and greater than 75%, 85 or 90 % on rare earth elements and/or rare metals. No pre-thermal treatment in most cases are required. The processes disclosed in the present disclosure involve special techniques on leaching and acid recovery at very high strength, thereby offering several advantages over alkaline processes.
[00280] In step 1 the mineral, whether or not thermally treated is crushed, milled, dried and classified tb have an average particle size of about 50 to about 80 pm.
[00281] In step 2, the milled raw material is introduced into the reactor and will undergo the leaching phase.
[00282] The leaching hydrochloric acid used in step 2 can be a recycled or regenerated acid from steps 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 (see Fig. 3) its concentration can vary from 15% to 45% weight. percent. Higher concentration can be obtained using membrane separation, cryogenic and/or high pressure approach. The acid leaching can be carried out under pressure and at temperature close to its boiling point thus, allowing a minimal digestion time and extended reaction extent (90%-100%). Leaching (step 2) can be accomplished in a semi-continuous mode where spent acid with residual free hydrochloric acid is replaced by highly concentrated acid at a certain stage of the reaction or allowing a reduced acid/mineral ratio, thereby reducing reaction time and improving reaction kinetics. For example, kinetic constant k can be : 0.5 ¨ 0.75 g/mole.L. For example, leaching can be continuous leaching.
As previously indicated, alkali metals, iron, magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, rare earth elements and other elements will also be in a chloride form at different stages. Silica and optionally titanium can remain undissolved and will undergo (step 3) a liquid/solid separation and cleaning stage. The processes of the present disclosure tend to recover maximum amount of free hydrochloric acid left and chlorides in solution in order to maximize hydrochloric acid recovery yield, using techniques such as rake classifying, filtration with band filters, centrifugation, high pressure, rotofilters and others. Thanks to step 13, Ti contained in the solid obtained from step 3 can be treated so as to separate Si from Ti and thus obtain Si02 and Ti02.
Various possible strategies can be used to separated Si from Ti as previously indicated. For example, the solid can be further leached (for example with HCI

in the presence of a metal chloride (for example MgCl2 or ZnCl2) so as to solubilize Ti (for example in the form of TiC14) while the Si remains solid.
Alternatively, the solid can be reacted with Cl2 (see Figs. 10A and 10B), he purified silica can then optionally undergo one or two additional leaching stages (for example at a temperature of about 150 to about 160 C) so as to increase the purity of silica above 99.9 %.
[00283] Pure Si02 (one additional leaching stage) cleaning with nano water purity 99% min. Mother liquor free of silica is then named as spent acid (various metal chlorides and water) and goes to the crystallization step (step 4). Free HCI and chlorides recovery can be at least 99, 99.5 or 99.9 %
[00284] In step 4, the spent acid (or leachate) with a substantial amount of aluminum chloride is then saturated with dry and highly concentrated gaseous hydrogen chloride obtained or recycled from step 5 or with aqueous HCI >
30% wt., which results in the precipitate of aluminum chloride hexahydrate (AIC13 = 6H20). The precipitate retained is then washed and filtered or centrifuged before being fed to the calcination stage (step 5). The remaining of the spent acid from step 4 is then processed to acid recovery system (steps 6 to 8) where pure secondary products will be obtained.
[00285] In step 5, aluminum oxide (alumina) is directly obtained from high temperature conditions. The highly concentrated hydrogen chloride in gaseous form obtained can be fed to steps 4 and 7 for crystallization where it can be treated through hydrophobic membranes. The excess hydrogen chloride is absorbed and used as regenerated acid to the leaching step 2 as highly concentrated acid, higher than the concentration at the azeotropic point (>20.2%). For example, such a concentration can be about 18 to about 45 weight %, about 25 to about 45 weight % or between 25 and 36 weight %.
Acid can also be redirected in gas phase directly (> 30 wt %) to acid purification.
[00286] After step 4, various chlorides derivatives (mainly iron with magnesium and rare earth elements and rare metals) are next subjected to an iron extraction step. Such a step can be carried out for example by using the technology disclosed in WO 2009/153321, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Moreover, hematite can be seeded for crystal growth.
For example, hematite seeding can comprise recirculating the seeding.
[00287] In step 6, a hydrolysis at low temperature (155-350 C) is carried out and pure Fe203 (hematite) is being produced and hydrochloric acid of at least 15% concentration is being regenerated. The method as described in WO
2009/153321 is processing the solution of ferrous chloride and ferric chloride, possible mixtures thereof, and free hydrochloric acid through a series of steps pre-concentration step, oxidation step where ferrous chloride is oxidized into ferric form, and finally through an hydrolysis step into an operational unit called hydrolyser where the ferric chloride concentration is maintained at 65 weight % to generate a rich gas stream where concentration ensures a hydrogen chloride concentration of 15-20.2% and a pure hematite that will undergo a physical separation step. Latent heat of condensation is recovered to the pre-concentration and used as the heating input with excess heat from the calcination stage (step 5).

[00288] The mother liquor from the hydrolyser (step 6) can be recirculated partially to first step crystallization process where an increase in concentration of non-hydrolysable elements is observed. After iron removal, the liquor is rich in other non-hydrolysable elements and mainly comprises magnesium chloride or possible mixture of other elements (various chlorides) and rare earth elements and rare metals that are, for example, still in the form of chlorides.
[00289] Rare earth elements and rare metals in form of chlorides are highly concentrated, in percentage, into the hydrolyser operational unit (step 6) and are extracted from the mother liquor (step 10) where various known techniques can be employed to extract a series of individual RE-0 (rare earth oxides). Among others, the processes of the present disclosure allows to concentrate to high concentration the following elements, within the hydrolyser: scandium (Sc), galium (Ga), yttrium (Y), dysperosium (Dy), cerium (Ce), praseodynium (Pr), neodynium (Nd), europium (Eu), lanthanum (La), samarium (Sm), gadolinium, (Gd), erbium (Er), zirconium (Zr) and mixtures of thereof. Technologies that can be used for extracting rare earth elements and/or rare metals can be found, for example, in Zhou et al. in RARE
METALS, Vol. 27, No. 3, 2008, p223-227, and in US 2004/0042945, hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The person skilled in the art will also understand that various other processes normally used for extracting rare earth elements and/or rare metals from the Bayer process can also be used.
For example, various solvent extraction techniques can be used. For certain elements, a technique involving octylphenyl acid phosphate (OPAP) and toluene can be used. HCI can be used as a stripping agent. This can be effective for recovering Ce203, Sc203, Er203 etc. For example, different sequence using oxalic acid and metallic iron for ferric chloride separation can be used.
[00290] The spent acid liquor from steps 6 and 10 rich in value added metals, mainly magnesium, is processed to step 7. The solution is saturated with dry and highly concentrated gaseous hydrogen chloride from step 5, which results in the precipitation of magnesium chloride hexahydrate. For example, same can be accomplished with HCI in aqueous form over 30% wt.
The precipitate retained, is fed to a calcination stage step 8 where pure MgO
(>98% wt.) is obtained and highly concentrated hydrochloric acid (for example of at least 38 %) is regenerated and diverted to the leaching step (step 2).
An alternative route for step 7 is using dry gaseous hydrochloric acid from step 8.
[00291] In step 9, metal chlorides unconverted are processed to a pyrohydrolysis step (700-900 C) to generate mixed oxides and where hydrochloric acid from 15-20.2% wt. concentration can be recovered.
[00292] According to another example as shown in Fig. 3, the processes can be similar to the example shown in Fig, 1 but can comprise some variants as below discussed.
[00293] In fact, as shown in Fig. 3, the processes can comprise (after step 6 or just before step 10) an internal recirculation back to the crystallization step 4. In such a case, The mother liquor from the hydrolyser (step 6) can be recirculated fully or partially to the crystallization of step 4 where a concentration increase will occur with respect to the non-hydrolysable elements including rare earth elements and/or rare metals.
[00294] Such a step can be useful for significantly increasing the concentration of rare earth elements and/or rare metals, thereby facilitating their extraction in step 10.
[00295] With respect to step 7, the solution rich in magnesium chloride and other non-hydrolysable products at low temperature is, as previously discussed, then brought up in concentration with dry and highly concentrated gaseous hydrogen chloride by sparging it into a crystallizer. This can result into the precipitation of magnesium chloride as an hexahydrate (for example after sodium and potassium chloride removal). This can also be accomplished with HCI in aqueous form.
[00296] As shown in Fig. 3, an extra step 11 can be added. Sodium chloride can undergo a chemical reaction with sulfuric acid so as to obtain sodium sulfate and regenerate hydrochloric acid at a concentration at or above the azeotropic point. Potassium chloride can undergo a chemical reaction with sulfuric acid so as to obtain potassium sulfate and regenerate hydrochloric acid at a concentration above the azeotropic concentration. Sodium and potassium chloride brine solution can be the feed material to adapted small chlor-alkali electrolysis cells. In this latter case, common bases (NaOH and KOH) and bleach (Na0C1 and KOCI) are produced and can be reused to some extent in other areas of the processes of the present disclosure (scrubber, etc.).
[00297] The following are non-limitative examples.
Example 1 Preparation of alumina and various other products [00298] As a starting material a sample of clay was obtained from the Grande Vallee area in Quebec, Canada.
[00299] These results represent an average of 80 tests carried out from samples of about 900 kg each.
[00300] Crude clay in the freshly mined state after grinding and classification had the following composition:
A1203 : 15% - 26%;
Si02 : 45% - 50%;
Fe203 : 8% - 9%;
MgO: 1% ¨ 2%;
Rare earth elements and/or rare metals: 0.04% - 0.07%;
LOI : 5% - 10%.
[00301] This material is thereafter leached in a two-stage procedure at 140-170 C with 18-32 weight % HCI. The HCI solution was used in a stoichiometric excess of 10-20% based on the stoichiometric quantity required for the removal of the acid leachable constituents of the clay. In the first leaching stage of the semi-continuous operation (step 2), the clay was contacted for 2.5 hours with required amount or certain proportion of the total amount of hydrochloric acid. After removal of the spent acid, the clay was contacted again with a minimum 18 weight % hydrochloric acid solution for about 1.5 hour at same temperature and pressure.
[00302] A typical extraction curve obtained for both iron and aluminum for a single stage leaching is shown in Fig. 2.
[00303] The leachate was filtered and the solid was washed with water and analyzed using conventional analysis techniques (see step 3 of Fig. 1). Purity of obtained silica was of 95.4% and it was free of any chlorides and of NCI.
[00304] In another example, the purity of the silica was 99.67 % through an extra leaching step.
[00305] After the leaching and silica removal, the concentration of the various metal chlorides was :
AlC13 : 15-20%;
FeCl2 : 4-6%;
FeCI3 : 0.5-2.0%;
MgC12 : 0.5-2.0 %;
REE-CI :0.1 ¨ 2 %
Free HCI : 5-50 gil [00306] Spent acid was then crystallized using about 90 to about 98% pure dry hydrochloric acid in gas phase in two stages with less than 25 ppm iron in the aluminum chloride hexahydrate formed. The concentration of HCI in solution (aqueous phase) was about 22 to about 32% or 25 to about 32 %, allowing 95.3 % of A1203 recovery. The recovered crystallized material (hydrate form of AlC13 having a minimum purity of 99.8 %) was then calcined at 930 C or 1250 C, thus obtaining the a form of the alumina. Heating at 930 C allows for obtaining the beta-form of alumina while heating at 1250 C
allows for obtaining the alpha-form.
[00307] Another example was carried out at low temperature (decomposition and calcination at about 350 C) and the a form of the alumina was less than 2 %.
[00308] HCI concentration in gas phase exiting the calcination stage was having a concentration greater than 30% and was used (recycled) for crystallization of the AlC13 and MgC12. Excess of hydrochloric acid is absorbed at the required and targeted concentration for the leaching steps.
[00309] Iron chloride (about 90-95% in ferric form) is then sent to a hydrothermal process in view of its extraction as pure hematite (Fe203). This can be done by using the technology described in WO 2009/153321 of low temperature hydrolysis with full heat recovery from calcining, pyrohydrolysis and leaching stage.
[00310] Rare earth elements and rare metals are extracted from the mother liquor of the hydrolyzer where silica, aluminum, iron and a great portion of water have been removed and following preconcentration from hydrolyser to crystallization. It was observed that rare earth elements can be concentrated by a factor of about 4.0 to 10.0 on average within the hydrolyzer itself on a single pass through it i.e. without concentration loop. The following concentration factors have been noted within the hydrolyzer (single pass):
Ce > 6 La > 9 Nd > 7 Y > 9 [00311] Remaining magnesium chloride is sparged with dry and highly concentrated hydrochloric acid and then calcinated to MgO while recovering high concentration acid (for example up to 38.4%).

[00312] Mixed oxides (Me-0) containing other non-hydrolysable components were then undergoing a pyrohydrolysis reaction at 700-800 C
and recovered acid (15-20.2% wt.) was rerouted for example to the leaching system.
Overall yields obtained:
A1203 : 93.0-95.03% recovery;
Fe203 : 92.65-99.5% recovery;
Rare earth elements: 95% minimum recovery (mixture);
MgO: 92.64-98.00% recovery;
Material discarded : 0-5% maximum;
HCI global recovery: 99.75% minimum;
HCI strength as feed to leaching 15-32% (aqueous); 95 % (gas) Red mud production: none.
Example 2 Preparation of alumina and various other products [00313] A similar feed material (bauxite instead of clay) was processed as per in example 1 up to the leaching stage and revealed to be easily leachable under the conditions established in example 1. It provided an extraction percentage of 100% for the iron and over 90-95% for aluminum. The technology was found to be economically viable and no harmful by-products (red mud) were generated. Samples tested had various concentrations of A1203 (up to 51%), Fe203 (up to 27%) and MgO (up to 1.5%). Gallium extraction of 97.0 % was observed. Scandium extraction was 95 %.

Example 3 HCI gas enrichment and purification: H2SO4 route [00314] H2SO4 can be used for carrying out purification of HCI. It can be carried out by using a packing column with H2SO4 flowing counter currently (see Fig. 4). This allows for converting the recovered HCI into HCI having a concentration above the azeotropic point (20.1% wt) and increase its concentration by about 60 to about 70% at minimum.
[00315] Water is absorbed by H2SO4 and then H2SO4 regeneration is applied where H2SO4 is brought back to a concentration of about 95 to about 98% wt. Water release at this stage free of sulphur is recycled back and used for crystallization dissolution, etc. Packing of the column can comprise polypropylene or polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT).
[00316] Combustion energy can be performed with off gas preheating air and oxygen enrichment. Oxygen enrichment: +2% represents flame temperature increase by: 400 C maximum.
[00317] Thus, HCI of the processes of the present disclosure can thus be treated accordingly.
Example 4 HCI gas enrichment and purification: calcium chloride to calcium chloride hexahydrate (absorption / desorption process) [00318] As shown in Fig. 5, CaCl2 can be used for drying HCI. In fact, CaCl2 can be used for absorbing water contained into HCI. In such a case, CaCl2 is converted into its hexachloride form (CaCl2 = 6H20) and one saturated system is eventually switched into regeneration mode where hot air recovered from calcination off gas of alumila and magnesium oxide spray roasting is introduced to regenerate the fixed bed. Alternatively, other absorbing agent such as LiCI can be used instead of CaCl2. Such an ion / exchange type process can be seen in Fig. 4 and the cycle can be inversed to switch from one column to another one.

[00319] The person skilled in the art would understand that the processes described in examples 3 and 4 (see Fig.s 4 and 5) can be used in various different manners. For example, these processes can be combined with the various processes presented in the present disclosure. For example, such purifications techniques can be integrated to the processes shown in Figs. 1, 3, 6, to 8 or 11 to 14 . For example, these techniques can be used downstream of at least one of step chosen from steps 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 and 20 (see Figs. 1, 3, 8, 13 and 14). They can also be used downstream of step 4 and/or step 7. They can also be used downstream of at least one of step chosen from steps 104 to 111 (see Figs. 6 and 7). Moreover, they can be used in Figs. 11 and 12 for example in steps 215, 216, 315 or 316.
Example 5 Preparation of alumina and various other products [00320] This example was carried out by using a process as represented in Figs. 6 and 7. It should be noted that the processes represented in Figs. 6 and 7 differ mainly by the fact that Fig. 7 shows an stage i.e. stage 112.
Raw material preparation [00321] Raw material, clay for example, was processed in a secondary crusher in the clay preparation plant 101. Dry milling and classifying occurs on a dry basis in vertical roller mills (for example Fuller-Loesche LM 30.41).
The clay preparation 101 included three roller mills; two running at a capacity of approximately 160-180 tph and one on standby. Raw material, if required, can be reduced to 85% less than 63 microns. Processed material was then stored in homogenization silos before being fed to the acid leaching plant 102. Below in Table 1 are shown results obtained during stage 101. If the ore contains the fluorine element, a special treatment can be applied before carrying out the 102 stage. In presence of hydrochloric acid, fluorine can produce hydrofluoric acid. This acid is extremely corrosive and damaging for human health. Thus, before leaching 102, an optional treatment fluorine separation 112 can be done. Stage 112 can comprise treating the processed material coming from stage 101 with an acid in a pre-leaching treatment so as to remove hydrofluoric acid. Therefore, depending on the composition of the raw material, a fluorine separation stage 112 (or pre-leaching stage 112) can be carried out.
Table 1.
Clay preparation Rate 290 tph Si02: 50.9%
A1203: 24.0%
Fe203: 8.51%
CaO: 0.48%
MgO: 1.33%
Composition feed (main constituents) Na20: 1.06%
K20: 2.86%
MnO: 0.16%
Cr203: 0.01%
Ti02: 0.85%
P205: 0.145%
Sr0: 0.015%
BaO: 0.05%
V205 0.0321%
Other (including H20 and 9.63%
REE):
Obtained particle size 85% < 63 pm Residual moisture 0.5-0.7%
Yield 99.5% min Acid Leaching [00322] Next, acid leaching 102 was performed semi-continuously in an 80 m3 glass-lined reactor. Semi-continuous mode comprises replacing reacted acid 1/3 in the reaction period with higher concentration regenerated acid, which greatly improves reaction kinetics. The reactor arrangement comprises for example, a series of three reactors. Other examples have been carried out with a first leaching at 1 atm was carried out and then, a second and third semi-continous or continuous leaching was carried out with aqueous or gaseous HCI.
[00323] Leaching was performed at high temperature and pressure (about 160 to about 195 C and pressures of about 5 to about 8 barg) for a fixed period of time. Reaction time was a function of the reaction extent targeted (98% for A1203), leaching mode, acid strength, and temperature/pressure applied.
[00324] Spent acid recovered out of the acid leaching 102 was then filtered 103 from unreacted silica and titanium dioxide and washed through an automated filter press where all free HCI and chloride are recovered. Step 113 can then be carried out in various manners as indicated previously for step 13.This allows, for example, a maximum quantity of about 30 ppm Si02 going into spent liquor. Cleaned silica at a concentration of ,--96 % + Si02 is then produced. Various options are possible at that point. For example, the 96%
silica can undergo final neutralization through caustic bath, cleaning, and then bricketing before storage. According to another example, the silica purified by adding another leaching step followed by a solid separation step that ensures TiO2 removal (see stage 113 in Figs. 6 and 7). In that specific case, high purity silica 99.5%+ is produced. In stage 113, titanium and silicium can be separated from one another in various manners. For example, the solid obtained from stage 103 can be leached in the presence of MgC12 at a temperature below 90 or 80 C and at low acid concentration. For example, acid concentration can be below 25 or 20 %. The acid can be HCI or H2SO4.
In such a case, titanium remains soluble after such a leaching while titanium is still in a solid form. The same also applies when the solid is treated with C12.
These solid and liquid obtained after stage 113 are thus separated to provide eventually TiO2 and Si02. Water input and flow for silica cleaning is in a ratio of 1:1 (silica/water) (150 t/h Si02 / 150 t/h H20), but comprises of wash water circulation in closed loop in the process and limited amount of process water for final cleaning of the silica and recovery of all chlorides and free HCI
generated at the leaching stage. Below in Table 2 are shown results obtained during stage 102.
, Table 2.
Acid Leaching Equivalent solid feed rate 259.6 tph Operation mode Semi-continuous 3.10 @ 23% wt Acid to clay ratio (Equivalent to 3.35 with semi-continuous at 18.0 % wt) Regenerated acid 18.0-32.0%
concentration 150-155 C (Pilot) Operating temperature ______________________ _ 165-200 C ( Plant) MAWP 120 psig Fe203 + 6 HCI ¨p 2 FeCI3 + 3H20 A1203 + 6 HCI ¨> 2 AlC13 + 3 H20 Typical chemical MgO + 2 HCI -- MgC12 + H20 reactions K20 + 2 HCI .--- 2 KCI + H2O
Re203 + 6 HCI ¨3 2 ReCI3 + 3H20 Spent acid flow to 600-1100 m3/h ciystallization FeCI3 4.33%
FeCl2¨ 0.19%
Practical chemical AlC13 16.6%
composition after step MgC12 0.82%
102 without solid (Si02) NaCI 1.1%
KCI 1.2%
CaCl2 0.26%
Iron 100%
Extraction yields A1203 98%
Si02 Recovery 99.997%
Activation energy only and self-sustained Energy consumption exothermic reaction from 130 C
______________________________________________________________ I
AlC13 Crystallization [00325] Spent acid, with an aluminum chloride content of about 20 to about 30 (%, was then processed in the crystallization stage 104. Dry and highly concentrated HCI (>90% wt.) in gas phase was sparged in a two-stage crystallization reactor, which allows the crystallization of aluminum chloride hexahydrate.

[00326] The flow rate of acid through these reactors is about 600 to about 675 m3/h and the reactor was maintained at about 50 to about 60 C during this highly exothermic reaction. Heat was recovered and exchanged to the acid purification 107 part of the plant thus ensuring proper heat transfer and minimizing heat consumption of the plant. Aluminum chloride solubility decreases rapidly, compared to other elements, with the increase in concentration of free HCI in the crystallization reactor. The concentration of AlC13 for precipitation/crystallization was about 30%
[00327] The HCI concentration during crystallization was thus about 30 to about 32 % wt.
[00328] The aqueous solution from the crystallization stage 104 was then submitted to the hydrothermal acid recovery plant 105, while the crystals are processed through the decomposition/calcination stage in the calcination plant 106.
[00329] A one-step crystallization stage or a multi-step crystallization stage can be done. For example, a two-steps crystallization stage can be carried out.
[00330] Below in Tables 3A and 3B are shown results obtained during stage 104.
Table 3A.
Aluminum chloride crystallization Number of crystallization steps Operating temperature 50-60 C _________ Sparging HCI concentration 90% (gaseous) AlC13 = 6H20 (s) Typical chemicals formed _________________________ Metal chlorides (aq) AlC13 = 6H20 residual <5% (practical); 8%

Table 3B.
Typical crystals composition main constituents obtained at pilot scale and feeding calcination Component Weight distribution (%) AlC13 = 6H20 99.978 BaCl2 = 2H20 0.0000 CaCl2 = 6H20 0.0009 CrC14 0.0022 CuC12 = 2H20 0.0000 FeC13 = 6H20 0.0019 KCI 0.0063 MgC12 = 6H20 0.0093 MnC12 = 4H20 0.0011 NaC1 0.0021 SiCI4 0.0004 SrCl2 = 6H20 0.0000 TiCI4 0.0001 VC14 0.0000 Free cr 0.0000 Calcination and hydrothermal acid recovery [00331] The calcination 106 comprises the use of a two-stage circulating fluid bed (CFB) with preheating systems. The preheating system can comprise a plasma torch to heat up steam to process. It processes crystals in the decomposition/calcination stage. The majority of the hydrochloric acid was released in the first stage which was operated at a temperature of about 350 C, while the second stage performs the calcination itself. Acid from both stages (about 66 to about 68% of the recovered acid from the processes) was then recovered and sent to either to the acid leaching 102 or to the acid purification 107. In the second reactor, which was operated at a temperature of about 930 C, acid was recovered through the condensation and absorption into two columns using mainly wash water from the acid leaching sector 102.
Latent heat from this sector W3S recovered at the same time as large amounts of water, which limits net water input.
[00332] In the iron oxides productions and acid recovery 105 system, which comprises, aqueous solution from the crystallization 104 first undergoes a pre-concentration stage followed by processing in the hydrolyzer reactor.

Here, hematite was produced during low temperature processing (about 165 C). A recirculation loop was then taken from the hydrolyzer and is recirculated to the pre-concentrator, allowing the concentration of REE, Mg, K, and other elements. This recirculation loop, allows rare earth element chlorides and/or rare metal chlorides and various metal chlorides concentration to increase without having these products precipitating with hematite up to a certain extent.
[00333] Depending on acid balance in the plant, recovered acid is sent either directly to the 102 or 107 stage.Table 4 shows results obtained in stage 105.
Table 4.
Hydrothermal acid recovery Flowrate from crystallization to 592 m3/h (design) HARP 600 m3/h (design) Operating hydrolyser temperature Regenerated acid concentration 27.4%
Regenerated acid flowrate 205.2 tph HCI
Hematite total production rate 24 TPH (design) HCI recovery > 99.8%
Reflux (recirculation loop) rate in between hydrolyzer and pre- 56 tph concentrator Rare earth element chlorides and/or rare metal chlorides rate 12.8 t/h in recirculation loop Hematite quality obtained and/or projected Fe203 purity > 99.5%
Hydrolysable chlorides <0.2%
Moisture Max 20% after filtration PSD 25-35 microns --Density (bulk) 2-3 kg/I
Typical chemical reaction in stage 105 2FeCI3 + 31-120 Fe2O3 + 6 HCI

[00334] Table 5 shows results obtained in stage 106.
Table 5.
Calcination Plant 106 = Two-stage circulating fluid bed (CFB) with pre-heating system Process characteristics:
= Two-stage hydrochloric acid regeneration Production rate (practical) About 66 tph CFB feed rate 371 tph @ 2-3% humidity*
Typical chemical reaction occurring 2(AIC13 = 6 H20) + Energy A1203 + 6 HCI + 9H20 Typical alumina chemical composition obtained from aluminum chloride hexahydrate crystals being fed to calcination Component Weight distribution (%) A1203 99.938 Fe203 0.0033 Si02 0.0032 Cr203 0.0063 V205 0.0077 Na 0.0190 _ MgO 0.0090 P205 0.0039 0.0053 ¨ ¨ _ Ca 0.0020 MnO 0.0002 Free C1 Undetectable Rare earth elements and rare metals extractions [00335] The stream that was taken out of 105 recirculation then was treated for rare earth elements and are metals extraction 108, in which the reduction of the remaining iron back to iron 2 (Fe2 ), followed by a series of solvent extraction stages, was performed. The reactants were oxalic acid, NaOH, DEHPA (Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid) and TBP (tri-n-butyl phosphate) organic solution, kerosene, and HCI were used to convert rare earth element chlorides and rare metals chlorides to hydroxides. Countercurrent organic solvent with stripping of solution using HCI before proceeding to specific calcination from the rare earth elements and rare metals in form of hydroxide and conversion to high purity individual oxides. A ion exchange technique is also capable of achieving same results as polytrimethylen terephtalate (PET) membrane.
[00336] Iron powder from 105, or scrap metal as FeO, can be used at a rate dependent on Fe3+ concentration in the mother liquor. HCI (100% wt) at the rate of 1 tph can be required as the stripped solution in REE Solvent Extraction (SX) separation and re-leaching of rare earth elements and/or rare metals oxalates.
[00337] Water of very high quality, demineralized or nano, at the rate of 100 tph was added to the strip solution and washing of precipitates.
[00338] Oxalic acid as di-hydrate at a rate of 0.2 tph was added and contributes to the rare earth elements and rare metals oxalates precipitation.

NaOH or Mg0H at a rate of 0.5 tph can be used as a neutralization agent.
[00339] DEHPA SX organic solution at the rate of 500 g/h was used as active reagent in rare earth elements separation while TBP SX organic solution at the rate of 5 kg/h is used as the active reagent for gallium recovery and yttrium separation. Finally, a kerosene diluent was used at the rate of approximately 2 kg/h in all SX section. Calcination occurs in an electric rotary furnace via indirect heating to convert contents to REE203 (oxides form) and maintain product purity.
[00340] Results of various tests made regarding stage 108 are shown in Table 6.
One line divided in subsections (5) to isolate the following elements using solvent extraction:
= Ga203 =

= SC203 = EU203 + E1203 + Dy203 = Ce203 + Nd203 + Pr203 Equivalent output 166.14 kg/h earths oxides Projected production as per pilot testing results Incoming Final extraction individual Feed (kg/h) (kg/h) Ga203 15.66 11.98 Sc203 9.06 8.11 Y203 22.56 20.22 La203 32.24 25.67 Ce203 61.37 51.82 Pr203 8.08 6.18 Nd203 30.3 27.24 Sm203 5.7 4.51 Eu203 1.06 0.95 Gd203 4.5 4.06 Dy203 3.9 3.55 Er203 2.1 1.86 _______ Total 196.55 166.14 Global yield : 84.53%
[00341] Alternatively, stage 108 can be carried out as described in WO/2012/126092 and/or WO/2012/149642, that are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
[00342] The solution after stages 108 and 109 contained mainly MgC12, NaCI, KCI, CaC12, FeCl2/FeC13, and AlC13 (traces), and then undergoes the 111 stage.Na, K, Ca that follows the MgO can be extracted in stage 110 by crystallization in a specific order; Na first, followed by K, and then Ca.
This technique can be employed for example in the Israeli Dead Sea salt processing plant to produce MgO and remove alkali from the raw material.

HCI regeneration [00343] Alkali (Na, K), once crystallized, was sent and processed in the alkali hydrochloric acid regeneration plant 110 for recovering highly concentrated hydrochloric acid (NCI). The process chosen for the conversion can generate value-added products [00344] Various options are available to convert NaCI and KCI with intent of recovering HCI. One example can be to contact them with highly concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4), which generates sodium sulphate (Na2SO4) and potassium sulfate (K2SO4), respectively, and regenerates HCI at a concentration above 90% wt. Another example, is the use of a sodium and potassium chloride brine solution as the feed material to adapted small chlor-alkali electrolysis cells. In this latter case, common bases (NaOH and KOH) and bleach (Na0C1 and KOCI) are produced. The electrolysis of both NaCI
and KCI brine is done in different cells where the current is adjusted to meet the required chemical reaction. In both cases, it is a two-step process in which the brine is submitted to high current and base (NaOH or KOH) is produced with chlorine (Cl2) and hydrogen (H2). H2 and Cl2 are then submitted to a common flame where highly concentrated acid in gas (100% wt.) phase is produced and can be used directly in the crystallization stage 104, or to crystallization stages requiring dry highly concentrated acid.
Magnesium oxide [00345] The reduced flow, which was substantially free of most elements (for example AlC13, FeCI3, REE-CI, NaCI, KCI) and rich in MgC12, was then submitted to the magnesium oxides plant 111. In the MgO, pyrohydrolysis of MgC12 and any other leftover impurities were converted into oxide while regenerating acid. The first step was a pre-evaporator/crystallizer stage in which calcium is removed and converted into gypsum (CaSO4.2H20) by a simple chemical reaction with sulfuric acid, for which separation of MgO is required. This increases the capacity of MgO roasting and also energy consumption slightly, while substantially recovering HCI. The next step was the specific pyrohydrolysis of MgO concentrated solution by spray roasting.

Two (2) main products were generated; MgO that was further treated and HCI
(about 18% wt.), which was either recycled back to the upstream leaching stage 102 or to the hydrochloric acid purification plant (107) The MgO-product derived from the spray roaster can require further washing, purification, and finally calcining depending on the quality targeted. The purification and calcining can comprise a washing-hydration step and standard calcining step.
[00346] The MgO from the spray roaster is highly chemically active and was directly charged into a water tank where it reacts with water to form magnesium hydroxide, which has poor solubility in water. The remaining traces of chlorides, like MgCl2, NaCI, dissolved in water. The Mg(OH)2 suspension, after settling in a thickener, was forwarded to vacuum drum filters, which remove the remaining water. The cleaned Mg(OH)2 is then forwarded into a calcination reactor where it is exposed to high temperatures in a vertical multi-stage furnace. Water from hydration is released and allows the transformation of the Mg(OH)2 to MgO and water. At this point, the magnesium oxide was of high purity (>99%).
HCI purification [00347] The hydrochloric acid purification stage 107 is effective for purifying HCI regenerated from different sectors (for example 105, 106, 111) and to increase its purity for crystallization, whereas dry highly concentrated acid (>
90% wt.) can be used as the sparging agent. Stage 107 also allowed for controlling the concentration of the acid going back to stage 102 (about 22 to about 32% wt.) and allows total acid and water balance. Total plant water balance is performed mainly by reusing wash water as absorption medium, as quench agent or as dissolution medium at the crystallization stages.
For example, HCI purification can be carried out as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
[00348] For example, purification can be carried out by means of a membrane distillation process. The membrane distillation process applied here occurs when two aqueous liquids with different temperatures are separated through a hydrophobic membrane. The driving force of the process was supplied by the partial pressure vapour difference caused by the temperature gradient between these solutions. Vapour travels from the warm to the cold side. Without wishing to be bound to such a theory, the separation mechanism was based on the vapour/liquid equilibrium of the HCl/water liquid mixture. Practical application of such a technology has been applied to HCl/water, H2SO4/water systems and also on large commercial scales on aqueous solution of sodium chloride with the purpose of obtaining potable water from seawater and nano water production. Therefore membrane distillation was a separation process based on evaporation through a porous hydrophobic membrane. The process was performed at about 60 C and was effective to recover heat from the 104 and 102 stage with an internal water circulation loop, in order to maintain a constant incoming temperature to the membranes. For example, eight membranes of 300,000 m2 equivalent surface area can be used per membrane to obtain a concentration of HCI well above the azeotropic point (i.e. > 36%) of the rz: 750 rn3/h and final 90%
concentration is then obtained through pressure distillation (rectification column).
[00349] Purification of HCI by processing thus regenerated acid through hydrophobic membrane and separating water from HCI; therefore increasing HCI concentration up to about 36% (above azeotropic point) and therefore allowing with a single stage of rectification through a pressure stripping column to obtain >90% in gaseous phase, for crystallization stage (sparging);
and therefore controlling acid concentration into crystallization stages up to 30-35 Vo(aq).
[00350] As indicated stage 107 was operated at about 60 C and heat input provided by heat recovery from stages 102 to 110. Rectification column was operated at about 140 C in the reboiler part. Net energy requirement was neutral (negative in fact at -3.5 Gj/t A1203) since both systems were in equilibrium and in balance.
[00351] For example, the acid purification can be carried out by using adsorption technology over an activated alumina bed. In continuous mode, at least two adsorption columns are required to achieve either adsorption in one of them and regeneration in the other one. Regeneration can be performed by feeding in counter-current a hot or depressurized gas. This technology will result in a purified gas at 100% wt.
[00352] For example, the acid purification can be made by using calcium chloride as entrainer of water. A lean hydrochloric acid solution is contacted with a strong calcium chloride solution through a column. The water is then removed from the hydrochloric acid solution and 99.9% gaseous HCI comes out of the process. Cooling water and cryogenic coolant is used to condense water traces in the HCI. The weak CaCl2 solution is concentrated by an evaporator that ensures the recuperation of calcium chloride. Depending on the impurities in the incoming HCI solution feed to the column, some metals can contaminate the calcium chloride concentrated solution. A precipitation with Ca(OH)2 and a filtration allows the removal of those impurities. The column can operate for example at 0.5 barg. This technology can allow for the recuperation of 98% of the HCI.
Table 7 shows the results obtained concerning the process shown in Fig. 6.

Composition Stage 101 Stage 102 Stage 106 Stage 105 WO Stage 107 Stage 108 TOTAL PRODUCED
1% wt) Yield (%) Yield (%) Yield (%) Yield (%) tpy Yield (%) Yield (%) Yield (TO Yield (%) Main constituents Siai --- 99.997% -- -- ...
..._ --- ---99.597%
Al --- 98.02% 95.03% ---.... .... --- ¨ 95.03%
Fe -- 100.00% -- 92.65% ---- --- --- 92.65%
ca Mg --- 99.998% ---29,756 92.64% --- 92.64%
------o Ca --- 99.998% --- -- ___ .._ --- --- 98.28% N.) ---co ha ;.:* --- 99.998% -- --- ------ --- 92.76% N.) o cl, K __ 103.00% -- -- ------ ¨ --- 93.97% w 1¨, -Others incl . HO --- --- ----- ------N.) o o RE/RM --- 99.0!, --92.32% --- -- ¨_ 84.67% 84,67% w oi cl, , By-Products N.) NaOH --- ....
--- ---68,555 ¨ --- --- ---Na00 --- -- --- --9,269 --- ¨ --- ---KOH --- --- --- ---73,211 ---KoCI __ -- -- ---9,586 --- ___ ---CaSO, --- -- --- ---46837 --- ... -- ....
Reactants H250, (1 --- --- -- --19,204 --- -- ¨ ---Fresh !KIM-UP -- --- _.. --- ----- 99.75% --- 99.75%
Total --- _ 98.55% 95.03%
256419 92.64% 99.75% 84.67%

[00353] Tables 8 to 26 show results obtained concerning the products made in accordance with the process shown in Fig. 6 in comparison with standard of the industry.
Table 8.
Chemical composition of obtained alumina Standard used in Element % Weight*
industry A1203 99.938 98.35 min Fe203 0.0033 0.0100 Si02 0.0032 0.0150 T102 0.0003 0.0030 V205 0.0008 0.0020 ZnO 0.0005 0.0030 Cr203 0.0003 N/A
MgO 0.0090 N/A
MnO 0.0002 N/A
P205 0.0039 0.0010 Cu 0.0030 N/A
Ca 0.0020 0.0030 Na 0.0190 0.4000 0.0053 0.0150 Li 0.0009 N/A
Ba <0.00001 0.0000 Th <0.000001 0.0000 <0.000001 0.0000 Free Cl- Not detectable 0.0000 LOI <1.0000 <1.0000 [00354] P205 removal technique can include, for example, after leaching, phosphorous precipitation using zirconium sulphate. It can be provided, for example, in a solution heated at 80 to about 90 C or about 85 to about 95 C, under vacuum.

Table 9.
Physical properties of obtained alumina Standard used in Property Orbite Alumina industry PSD < 20pm 5-10% N/A
PSD < 45pm 10-12% <10%
PSD > 75pm 50-60% N/A
SSA (m2/g) 60-85 60-80 Att. Index 10-12% < 10%
a A1203 2-5% <7-9%
Table 10.
Chemical composition of obtained hematite Element % VVeig_ht Fe203 > 99.5%
Hydrolysable elements <0.2%
Table 11.
Physical properties of obtained hematite*
Property Orbite hematite PSDmean 25-35 pm Density (bulk) 2000-3000 kg/m3 Humidity after filtration <10%
* Material can be produced as brickets Table 12.
Chemical composition of obtained silica Element % Weight Si02 > 99.7 A1203 <0.25%
MgO 0.1%
Fe203 ===-= 0.1%
CaO rz-- 0.01%
Na20 <0.1%
K20 ____________ < 0.1%
Note: Product may have unbleached cellulose fiber filter aid. Cellulose wood flour.

Table 13.
Physical properties of obtained silica Property Orbite silica PS Dmean 10-20ym Specific surface area 34 m2/g Density (bulk) 2000-2500 kg/m' Humidity after filtration <30%
Table 14.
Purity of obtained rare earth element oxides Element Purity (%) Ga203 Sc203 La203 Ce203 Pr203 > 99%
Nd203 Sm203 Eu203 Gd203 Dy203 Er203 Physical properties of obtained REE-0/RM-0 Property Orbite REE-0/RM-0 PS Dmean 2-30 pm Density 5500-13000 kg/m3 LOP <1%
Table 15.
Chemical composition of obtained MgO
Element Typical Specification MgO 99.0' 98.35min CaO 0.0020 ______ 0.83 Si02 0.0000 0.20 max B203 0.0000 0.02 max A1203 0.0300 0.12 max Fe203 0.0160 0.57 max Mn02 <0.14 0.14 max LOP 0.7% <1%

Table 16.
Physical properties of obtained MgO
Property Orbite MgO
PS Dmean I 0 pm __ Density N/A
LOI 650 kg/m3 Table 17.
Chemical composition of obtained NaOH
Element % Weight Sodium hydroxide 32%
Water 68%
Table 18.
Physical properties of obtained NaOH
Sodium hydroxide Property (NaOH) Physical state Liquid Vapour pressure 14 mmHg Viscosity > 1 Boiling point 100 C
Melting point 0 C
Specific gravity 1.0 Table 19.
Chemical composition of obtained sodium hypochlor:te (bleach) Element % Weight Sodium hypochlorite 12%
Sodium hydroxide <1%
Water > 80%
Table 20.
Physical properties of obtained Na0C1 Sodium hypochlorite Property (Na0C1) Physical state Liquid Vapour pressure 1.6 kPa Viscosity N/A
Boiling point 100 C
Melting point -3 C
Specific gravity 1.2 Table 21.
Chemical composition of obtained potassium hydroxide Element % Weight Potassium hydroxide 32%
Water 68%
Table 22.
Physical properties of obtained potassium hydroxide Property KOH
Physical state Liquid Vapour pressure 17.5 mmHg Viscosity N/A
Boiling point 100 C
Melting point N/A
Specific gravity 1.18 Table 23.
Chemical composition of obtained potassium hypochlorite (KOCI) Element % Weight Potassium hypochlorite 12%
Potassium hydroxide < 1%
Water > 80%
Table 24.
Physical properties of obtained potassium hypochlorite Property KOCI
Physical state Liquid Vapour pressure N/A
Viscosity N/A
Boiling point 103 C
Melting point N/A
Specific gravity > 1.0 Table 25.
Chemical composition of obtained calcium sulphate dihydrate Element % Weight Calcium sulphate 100%
dihydrate Table 26.
Physical properties of obtained calcium sulphate dehydrate Property Orbite CaSO4.2H20 Physical state Solid Specific gravity 2.32 [00355] In order to demonstrate the versatility of the processes of the present disclosure, several other tests have been made so as to shown that these processes can be applied to various sources of starting material.
Example 6 [00356] Another starting material has been used for preparing acidic compositions comprising various components. In fact, a material that is a concentrate of rare earth elements and rare metals (particularly rich in zirconium) has been tested. Table 27 shows the results carried out on such a starting material using a similar process as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 6, 7, 13 and 14 and as detailed in Examples 1, 2 and 5. It can thus be inferred from the results shown in Table 27 that the various components present in the leaching (various metals such as aluminum, iron, magnesium as well as rare earth elements and rare metals) can be extracted from the obtained leaching composition and that they can eventually be isolated by the processes of the present disclosure such as, for example, those presented in Examples 1, 2 and 5.
Example 7 [00357] Other tests have been made in a similar manner as described in Example 6. In the present example, carbonatite has been used as a starting material. (see Table 28 below).

Table 27. Tests made on a zirconium rich material.
Raw material Composition Average Extraction rate 0 All Orbite measure and/or measured for measured (ALP) process evaluated (% wt.) testing (5 wt.) (5) recovery (5) A1,03 6.12 6.12 89.65 86.97 Fe203 15.80 15.80 99.50 97.51 SiO, 36.00 36.00 0.000 99.997 MgO 3.08 3.08 99.75 92.66 Na20 1.13 1.13 99.50 99.50 K20 2.12 2.12 99.50 99.50 CaO 6.10 6.10 99.50 99.00 S total 0,22 0.22 100.00 F 1.98 1.98 99.50 99.00 TiO2 0.13 0.13 0.000 99.03 1.720, 0.00 0.00 98.00 96.04 P20, 1.10 1.10 98.00 96.04 MnO 0.43 0.43 90.00 96.04 Zr02 12.43 12.43 22.70 20.43 Cr203 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Ce202 3.05 3.045 97.31 92.98 La20, 1.34 1.337 99.55 92.68 Nd203 1.55 1.551 98.40 94.79 Pr203 0.37 0.375 99.75 97.52 SITI202 0.15 0.151 88.75 84.80 Dy202 0.09 0.089 80.35 76.77 Er203 0.03 0.030 72.60 69.37 Eu203 0.03 0.027 85.57 81.76 Gd.202 0.21 0.205 82.85 79.16 110203 0,01 0.013 77.10 73.67 Lu202 0.00 0.003 60.15 57.47 Tb202 0.02 0.022 78.05 74.58 Th 0.02 0.022 88.10 84.18 Tm203 0.00 0.004 66.85 63.88 U 0.01 0.014 81.90 78.26 Y203 0.30 0.300 72.70 69.46 Yb203 0.02 0.023 62.80 60.01 Ga203 0.02 0.016 96.90 92.59 Sc203 0.00 0.003 95.00 90.77 LOI (inc. water) 6.122023973 6.12 Table 28. Tests made on carbonatite Raw material Composition Average Extraction rate 0 All Orbite measure and/or measured for measured (ALP) process evaluated (% wt.) testing (% wt.) (%) recovery (%) A1203 0.70 0.70 84.31 81.61 Fe203 11.22 11.22 94.14 92.15 Si0, 2.11 2.11 0.00003 99.997 Mg0 6.50 6.500 100 96.25 Na20 0.07 0.07 92.54 90.55 1<20 0,18 0.181 37.33 37.33 CaO 16.51 16.51 100 98.00 Ti0, 0.00 0.000 0.00000 100.000 V204 0.00 0.000 0 100.000 8.,0, 0.00 0.000 0 100.000 MnO 0.00 0.000 0 100.000 Zr0, 0.00 0.000 0 100.000 Cr203 0.00 0.000 0 100.000 Ce203 1.19 1.195 64.04 61.190 ba203 0.46 0.463 63.86 61.018 Nd20, 0.45 0.448 81.46 77.835 pr203 0.14 0.142 67.59 64.562 S111203 0.03 0.033 65.32 62.413 Dy203 0.00 0.000 78.12 74.644 Er20, 0.00 0.000 86.15 82.316 Eu203 0.01 0.007 66.45 63.493 Cd20, 0.01 0.013 54.46 52.037 Ho2 , 0.00 0.000 83.12 79.421 Lu203 0.00 0.000 88.86 84.906 Tb20 0.00 0.001 41.42 39.577 Th 0.06 0.065 Tm203 0.00 0.000 90.70 86.664 U 0.01 0.007 WI., 0.00 0.000 84.68 80.912 Y1020=, 0.00 0.000 85.11 61.323 GaL03 0.00 0.000 0 0.000 Sc,O. 0.00 0.000 0 0.000 LO1 (inc. water) 60.33 [00358] It can thus be inferred from the results shown in Table 28 that the various metals, rare earth elements and rare metals extracted present in the obtained leaching composition can eventually be isolated by the processes of the present disclosure such as, for example, those presented in Examples 1, 2 and 5.
[00359] The process shown in Fig. 8 is similar to the process of Fig.1, with the exception that in Fig. 8, the term "aluminum" is replaced by a "first metal".
The person skilled in the art would thus understand that in accordance with the present disclosure, the processes can also encompass recovering various other products and using various types of material as starting material. The first metal can be chosen from Al, Fe, Ti, Zn, Ni, Co, Mg, Li, Mn, Cu, Au, Ag, Pd, Pt. and mixtures thereof etc. Such a process can thus be used for recovering various other metals than aluminum. Thus, the first metal will be precipitated as a chloride in stage 5 and eventually converted into an oxide.
[00360] In fact, the person skilled in the art would understand that by replacing in Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 7 the term "aluminum" with the expression "first metal" the processes shown in these figures can be used to obtain various other products than alumina and also used for treating various different starting material. Thus, the first metal can be recovered as a chloride (as it is the case for aluminum chlorides in the processes of Figs. 1, 3, 6, 7, 13 and 14) and all the other stages of these processes can thus be carried out (when applicable) depending on the nature of the starting material used.
[00361] In step 4, the first metal chloride can be precipitated or crystallized.
In fact, the first metal can be removed from the leachate in various manner.
For example, a precipitating agent can be added or HCI (for example gaseous) can be reacted with the liquid obtained from step 3 so as to cause precipitation and/or crytallization of the first metal chloride.
Alternatively, the temperature of the leachate can be controlled so as to substantially selectively cause precipitation of the first metal chloride.
[00362] As previously indicated, the processes of the present disclosure can be efficient for treating material comprising Al, Fe, Ti, Zn, Ni, Co, Mg, Li, Mn, Cu, Au, Ag, Pd, Pt.
[00363] For example, when treating a material that comprises, for example, Mg and Fe, the material can be leached for example by using HCI. Then, while the mixture (comprising a solid and a liquid) so obtained is still hot, it can be treated so as to separate the solid from the solid (for example by means of a solid/liquid separation). That will be effective for removing solids such as Si and optionally others such as Ti. Thus, the liquid can be cooled down to a temperature of about 5 to about 70 C, about 10 to about 60 C, about 10 to about 50 C, about 10 to about 40 C, or about 15 to about 30 C
so as to substantially selectively precipitate or crystalize magnesium (for example as MgC12 (first metal chloride in Fig. 8)), as shown in 4 of such a figure.. Then, the first metal chloride can be converted as shown in 5 so as to obtain the first metal oxide. The iron can then be treated as in 6 of Fig. 8.
The remainder of the process shown in Fig. 8 (stages 6 to 10) being as described previously for Fig. 1.
[00364] Other examples of processes for treating material comprising magnesium and iron can be as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. The processes of Figs. 13 and 14 are similar to the processes of Figs. 1 and 3, respectively.
The main differences reside in steps 20 and 21 of Figs. 13 and 14.
[00365] In these two examples of Figs. 13 and 14 aluminum is also treated.
In fact, as it can be seen in stages 20 and 21 of Figs. 13 and 14, Mg, Fe and Al, the material can be leached for example by using HCI. Then, while the mixture (comprising a solid and a liquid) so obtained is still hot, it can be treated so as to separate the solid from the liquid (for example by means of a solid/liquid separation (see stage 3)). That will be effective for removing solids such as Si and optionally others such as Ti. Thus, the liquid can be cooled down to a temperature of about 5 to about 70 C, about 10 to about 60 C, about 10 to about 50 C, about 10 to about 40 C, or about 15 to about 30 C
so as to substantially selectively precipitate or crystalize magnesium (for example as MgC12 (see stage 20 in Figs. 13 and 14)). Then, magnesium chloride can be converted into magnesium oxide as shown in 21 of Figs. 13 and 14. HCI can then be recovered and treated as previously indicated The remainder of the process shown in Fig. 13 (stages 4 to 10) are as described previously for Fig. 1 and the remainder of the process shown in Fig. 14 (stages 4 to 10) are as described previously for Fig. 3.
[00366] As previously indicated, magnesium can be firstly removed from the leachate and then aluminum can be removed as shown in Figs. 13 and 14.
Alternatively, aluminum can be firstly removed from the leachate and then magnesium can be removed. In such a case, steps 20 and 21 of Figs. 13 and 14 would be disposed between steps 4 and 6.
[00367] As another example, a mixture Ni/Co of a low concentration in the feed (0.5 ¨ 2.0% wt) can be leached with HCI according to Fig. 9. For example, leaching can be carried out by using HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 32 wt % in a first reactor then, by using HCI having concentration of about 90 to about 95 % (gaseous) in a second reactor; and by optionally using HCI having concentration of about 90 to about 95 %
(gaseous) in an optional third reactor. Then selective crystallization with HCI
bubbling, solubility of chlorides (cobalt chloride vs nickel chloride) is distinct based on HCI concentration. Hexahydrate chloride can then be processed (produced) and fed for example to standard spray roaster 600-640 C or fluid bed in view of producing oxides. HCI can therefore be regenerated, sent to closed loop acid purification where it is dried. Excess HCI can also be absorbed at its isotropic point and be used to solvent extraction or leaching.

For example, nickel or cobalt chloride can thus replace aluminum chloride in Figs. 1, 3, 6, 7, 13 and 14. After the leaching, shown in Fig. 9, the leachate can thus be treated as the leachate described in the processes described in the present disclosure and those of Figs. 1, 3, 6, 7, 13 and 14, with the exception that instead of aluminum chloride, nickel chloride or cobalt chloride will be treated.
[00368] A similar approach can be adopted when using a starting material that contains Mg and Li. Leaching can be carried out as shown in Fig. 9 and selective precipitation of LiCI over MgCl2 or selective precipitation of MgCl2 over LiCI by injecting HCI (for example gaseous HCI) can be done. Na can be removed by crystallisation first. K can then be removed by crystallisation Moreover, for further purification, LiCI and MgCl2 can be separated by difference of solubility and/or crystallization in water.
[00369] For example, platinum and palladium can also be treated similarly.
Moreover, their separation can also be accomplished with ion exchange:
selective crystallization in HCI is possible and can be temperature sensitive.
[00370] Figs. 10A and 10B show methods for separating Si from Ti. For example, when using an ore as starting material, leaching can be carried out in the presence of Cl2 (optionally in the presence of carbon) so as to maintain Ti under the form of TiCI4 since in remains in solution (fluid) while Si remains solid (Si02). Then, Ti (such as TiC14) can be heated so as to be converted into Ti02. For example, it can be injected into a plasma torch for being purified.
[00371] Such a method for purifying Si and Ti can be used in all the processes of the present disclosure when there is a need for separating these two entities. See stage 13 in Figs. 1, 3, 6, 7, 13 and 14 and stage 113 in Fig.
7.
[00372] The processes shown in Figs. 11A, 11B, 12A and 12B are processes that can be useful for treating various materials that comprise, for example, Mg and other metals such as Ni and/or Co. These materials can also comprise other metals such as aluminum, iron etc. The processes of Figs. 11A, 11B, 12A and 12B are similar, with the exception that magnesium remains in solution after step 204 in Fig. 11A, while magnesium is precipitated after step 304 in Fig. 12A.
[00373] Certain steps carried out in the processes of Figs. 11A, 11B, 12A
and 12 are similar to the steps of other processes described in the present disclosure.
[00374] For example, steps 201 and 301 are similar to step 101 of Figs. 6 and 7. Moreover, steps 202 and 302 of Figs. 11 and 12 are similar to step 102 of Figs. 6 and 7.
[00375] Steps 203 and 303 of Figs. 11 and 12 are similar to step 103 of Figs. 6 and 7.
[00376] Steps 213 and 313 of Figs. 11 and 12 are similar to step 113 of Fig.
7. With respect to steps 214 and 314, TiO2 can eventually be purified by means of a plasma torch.
[00377] Eventually, CaSO4 = 2H20 (gypsum) can be produced as detailed in steps 223 and 323. Finally, pursuant to steps 224, 324, 225 and 325 Na2SO4 and K2SO4 can be produced.
[00378] With respects to steps 213 and 313, TiO2 can be converted into TiCl2 and/or T1CI4 so as to solubilize the titanium. For example, this can be done by reacting TiO2 optionally with 0I2 and carbon (C) (see Figs. 10A and 10B. Therefore, Si02 and titanium can be separated from one another since Si02 remains solid while titanium will be solubilized. For example, steps 213, 313, 214 and 314 can be carried out as detailed in Fig. 10.
[00379] Such processes are also efficient for achieving whole recovery of HCI.
[00380] Pursuant to Ni and/or Co precipitation (steps 212 and 312) LiOH
can be precipitated and eventually washed in steps 208 and 308. Then, a further leaching can be carried out in steps 209 and 309 so as to extract further metals. For example, if the starting material to be used in the processes of Figs. 11 and 12 contains aluminum, steps 210 and 310 can be carried out so as to precipitate AlC13. Such a step (210 or 310) is similar to step 104 carried out in Figs. 6 and 7. In an analogous manner, steps 205 and 305 of Figs. 11 and 12 are similar to step 105 of Figs. 6 and 7. Steps 206 and 306 of Figs. 11 and 12 are similar to step 106 of Figs. 6 and 7. HCI
purification carried out in steps 215 and 315 is similar to step 107 carried out in Figs. 6 and 7. As it car' be seen in Figs. 216 and 316, HCI is thus regenerated.
[00381] Alternatively, pursuant to step 209, and depending on the composition of the starting material used for the processes of Figs. 11 and

12, steps 210 and 310 can be omitted or bypassed. Therefore, if substantially no aluminum is comprised within the starting material, or if the content in aluminum is considerably low after step 209, step 249 can be carried out.
The same also applied to step 309 and 349 of Fig. 12. Then, pursuant to steps 249 and 349 of Figs. 11 and 12 in which a mixture of various metal chlorides are obtained, calcination can be carried out in steps 217 and 317 so as to eventually obtain a mixture of various metal oxides.
[00382] Impurities obtained in steps 210 and 310 can be crystallized in steps 218 and 318. By doing so, NaCI (steps 219 and 319) and KCI (steps 221 and 321) can be crystallized. An electrolysis of NaCI (steps 220 and 320) and KCI (steps 222 and 322) can be carried out as previously indicated in the present disclosure.

Example 8 [00383] Tests have been made for treating a magnesium-containing material as starting material. The magnesium-containing material was serpentine (asbestos) obtaine.i from Black Lake, Quebec, Canada. Tables 29 to 31 below shows results obtained when leaching such a material with HCI.
The serpentine ore was leached with a 30 % molar excess of HCI at a temperature of about 150 to about 160 C.
Table 29. Tests made on serpentine Asbestos 1 Asbestos 2 Asbestos 3 Asbestos 4 Mass In 880 800 1000 820 Mass Out 3.34 250 325 323 % water .15% 45% 45% 45%
'k Al Fe Na K 1 Mg Ca Ti Si imtral 4 1,38 3.62 0,25 0,34 18,1 0,59 0,03 20.3 ,, compound kg 12,144 31,356 2,2 2,992 159,26 5,192 0.264 175.64 o % 1,67 1,11 3,33 0,3 6,49 0,16 0,01 34,3 g Cake kg 4,05977 2,42991 0,71643 0,6513 I 14' 28979 0,34736 0,02171 75,5508 .o =.'' V,e!d % 67% 9234 67% 78% 1 9134 93% 92% 58%
, recovery nr.:& % 0,49 3,55 0.23 0,04 23,5 0,13 0,01 16,7 v.: compound kg 3,32 28.49 3,24 :1;32 198 1,0.4 2,08 133,6 .5 4 :359 0,47 OM 0,01 2,9.9 0.05 9=7 35õ2 Cake kg 0,81125 0,64625 04275 0,01375 3.96 0.06875 0,009625 52,525 -P, 4 , = e:d % 79% 98% 89% 96% 98% 93% 88% 61%
, recovery n1-µa 4 0.59 4.13 0.16 0,06 22,3 0,23 2,01 17.3 mcompound kg 5.9 :.1.3 1,6 2,8 223 2.3 3.1 173 ,...
o % 0.05 0,44 0,01 0,01 3.27 0,02 3,21 34,3 I
O Cake 2 kg 0,12725 0,7965 0,017975 0,317975 5,945125 0,03575 0,017975 51,31125 =i' t'eci % 98% 98% 99% 98% 97% 98% 82% 65% I
, recovery .
1-1.-riad % 0,31 5,54 0,21 0,01 22,9 0,33 0,01 15,4 .,- compound kg 2,542 45.428 0,082 0,062 197,79 0,246 0,052 126.29 4 1,14 0,37 0,41 023 25 0,2 0,005 37,1 I
gCake kg 2,02521 0,55730,5 0,728355 1,408555 4,44125 0,3553 0,3262825 65,91915 ZY Y,e,d % 20% 99% -788% -398% 98% -44% 89% 48%
recovery Table 30. Chemical Composition of Serpentine Components Concentration measured and/or evaluated (% wt.) A1203 0.59-2.61 Fe203 5.09-7.92 Si02 32.94-43.43 MgO 30.01-38.97 Na20 0.04-0.337 K20 0.012-0.41 CaO 0.04-0.83 TiO2 0.017-0.050 V205 0.00 P205 0.00 MnO 0.005-0.080 Zr0 0.0000 0.00 Co 0.0000 Cr 0.076-0.101 Cd 0.0000 Zn 0.0000 Ni 0.0000 Cu 0.0000 Pb 0.0000 As 0.0000 Ga203 0.0000 Sc203 0.0000 Re203 0.00000 L01 (inc. water) 15.0-20.0 Table 31. Leaching of Serpentine - Recovery Yields Components Leaching extraction rate (%) A1203 81.34 Fe203 96.70 S102 0.00003 MgO 96.01 Na20 84.96 K20 90.57 Ca 95.05 TiO2 0.00002 v205 0.00 P205 0.00 MnO 0.00 Zr0 0.00 0.00 Co 0.00 Cr 0.00 Cd 0.00 Zn 0.00 Ni 0.00 Cu 0.00 Pb 0.00 As 0.00 [00384] The results of Tables 29 to 31 thus show that the processes of Figs.
11 to 14 can be carried out with success.
[00385] It was also observed that when obtaining such a leachate by leaching serpentine with HCI, it was possible to substantially selectively precipitate some metals by controlling certain parameters. In fact, it was found that magnesium chloride has a very low solubility as compared with other chlorides (such as AlC13, FeCI3, CaCl2, NaCI, KCI, MnCl2, etc.), for example when the leachate is at a temperature of about 10 to about 60 C, about 10 to about 40 C, about 15 to about 30 C, about 15 to about 25 C or about 20 C
(see Figs. 16 and 17). Therefore, one possible way among others of removing magnesium chloride in a substantially selective manner was to leach serpentine and remove the unleached solid while the mixture of solid and leachate is still hot. Then, when the solid is removed, the leachate can be cooled down so as to substantially selectively precipitate magnesium chloride.
[00386] Moreover, it was observed, during tests made, that when the leachate has a concentration in HCI of about 16 to about 20 %, about 17 to about 18 %, or about 17.5 % by weight, MgC12 was selectively precipitated over FeCI3 (see Fig. 15). It was also observed that magnesium chloride can have a low solubility at a temperature of about 15 to about 30 C, about 15 to about 25 C or about 20 C (see Figs. 16 and 17).
[00387] The processes of the present disclosure provide a plurality of important advantages and distinction over the known processes [00388] The processes of the present disclosure provide fully continuous and economical solutions that can successfully extract alumina from various type of materials while providing ultra pure secondary products of high added value including highly concentrated rare earth elements and rare metals. The technology described in the present disclosure allows for an innovative amount of total acid recovery and also for a ultra high concentration of recovered acid. When combing it to the fact that combined with a semi-continuous leaching approach that favors very high extraction yields and allows a specific method of crystallization of the aluminum chloride and concentration of other value added elements. These processes also allow for preparing aluminum with such a produced alumina.
[00389] Specifically through the type of equipment used (for example vertical roller mill) and its specific operation, raw material grinding, drying and classifying can be applicable to various kinds of material hardness (furnace slag for example), various types of humidity (up to 30%) and incoming particle sizes. The particle size established provides the advantage, at the leaching stage, of allowing optimal contact between the minerals and the acid and then allowing faster kinetics of reaction. Particles size employed reduces drastically the abrasion issue and allows for the use of a simplified metallurgy/lining when in contact with hydrochloric acid.

[00390] A further advantage of the processes of the present disclosure is the combined high temperature and high incoming hydrochloric acid concentration. Combined with a semi continuous operation where the free HCI driving force is used systematically, iron and aluminum extraction yields do respectively reach 100% and 98% in less than about 40 % of the reference time of a basic batch process. Another advantage of higher HCI
concentration than the concentration at azeotropic point is the potential of capacity increase. Again a higher HCI concentration than the concentration of HCI at the azeotropic point and the semi-continuous approach represent a substantial advance in the art. The same also applies for continuous leaching.
[00391] Another advantage in that technique used for the mother liquor separation from the silica after the leaching stage countercurrent wash, is that band filters provide ultra pure silica with expected purity exceeding 96%.
[00392] The crystallization of AlC13 into AlC13 = 6H20 using dried, cleaned and highly concentrated gaseous HCI as the sparging agent allows for a pure aluminum chloride hexahydrate with only few parts per million of iron and other impurities. A minimal number of stages are required to allow proper crystal growth.
[00393] The direct interconnection with the calcination of AlC13 = 6H20 into A1203 which does produce very high concentration of gas allows the exact adjustment in continuous of the HCI concentration within the crystallizer and thus proper control of the crystal growth and crystallization process.
[00394] The applicants have now discovered fully integrated and continuous processes with substantially total hydrochloric acid recovery for the extraction of alumina and other value added products from various materials that contain aluminum (clay, bauxite, aluminosilicate materials, slag, red mud, fly ashes etc.) containing aluminum. In fact, the processes allows for the production of substantially pure alumina and other value added products purified such as purified silica, pure hematite, pure other minerals (ex: magnesium oxide) and rare earth elements products. In addition, the processes do not require thermal pre-treatment before the acid leach operation. Acid leach is carried out using semi-continuous techniques with high pressure and temperature conditions and very high regenerated hydrochloric acid concentration. In addition, the processes do not generate any residues not sellable, thus eliminating harmful residues to environment like in the case of alkaline processes.
[00395] The advantage of the high temperature calcination stage, in addition for allowing to control the a-form of alumina required, is effective for providing a concentration of hydrochloric acid in the aqueous form (>38%) that is higher than the concentration of HCI at the azeotropic point and thus providing a higher incoming HCI concentration to the leaching stage. The calcination stage hydrochloric acid network can be interconnected to two (2) crystallization systems and by pressure regulation excess HCI can be being absorbed at the highest possible aqueous concentration. The advantage of having a hexahydrate chloride with low moisture content (<2%) incoming feed allows for a continuous basis to recover acid at a concentration that is higher than the azeotropic concentration. This HCI balance and double usage into three (3) common parts of trie processes and above azeotropic point is a substantial advance in the art.
[00396] Another advantage is the use of the incoming chemistry (ferric chloride) to the iron oxide and hydrochloric acid recovery unit where all excess heat load from any calcination part, pyrohydrolysis and leaching part is being recovered to preconcentrate the mother liquor in metal chloride, thus allowing, at very low temperature, the hydrolysis of the ferric chloride in the form of very pure hematite and the acid regeneration at the same concentration than at its azeotropic point.
[00397] A further major advantage of the instant process at the ferric chloride hydrolysis step is the possibility to concentrate rare earth elements in form of chlorides at very high concentration within the hydrolyser reactor through an internal loop between hydrolyzer and crystallization. The advantage in that the processes of the present disclosure benefit from the various steps where gradual concentration ratios are applied. Thus, at this stage, in addition to an internal concentration loop, having the silica, the aluminum, the iron and having in equilibrium a solution close to saturation (large amount of water evaporated, no presence of free hydrochloric acid) allows for taking rare earth elements and non-hydrolysable elements in parts per million into the incoming feed and to concentrate them in high percentage directly at the hydrolyser after ferric chloride removal Purification of the specific oxides (RE-0) can then be performed using various techniques when in percentage levels. The advantage is doubled here: concentration at very high level of rare earth elements using integrated process stages and most importantly the approach prevents from having the main stream (very diluted) of spent acid after the leaching step with the risk of contaminating the main aluminum chloride stream and thus affecting yields in A1203. Another important improvement of the art is that on top of being fully integrated, selective removal of components allows for the concentration of rare earth elements to relatively high concentration (percentages).
[00398] Another advantage of the process is again a selective crystallization of MgC12 through the sparging of HCI from either the alumina calcination step or the magnesium oxide direct calcination where in both cases highly concentrated acid both in gaseous phase or in aqueous form are being generated. As previously indicated, Mg(OH)2 can also be obtained. As per aluminum chloride specific crystallization, the direct interconnection with the calcination reactor, the HCI gas very high concentration (about 85 to about 95 %, about 90 to 95 % or about 90 % by weight) allows for exact adjustment in continuous of the crystallizer based on quality of magnesium oxide targeted.
Should this process step (MgO production or other value added metal oxide) be required based on incoming process feed chemistry, the rare earth elements extraction point then be done after this additional step; the advantage being the extra concentration effect applied.
[00399] The pyrohydrolysis allows for the final conversion of any remaining chloride and the production of refined oxides that can be used (in case of clay as starting material) as a fertilizer and allowing the processing of large amount of wash water from the processes with the recovery hydrochloric acid in close loop at the azeotropic point for the leaching step. The advantage of this last step is related to the fact that it does totally close the process loop in terms of acid recovery and the insurance that no residues harmful to the environment are being generated while processing any type of raw material, as previously described.
[00400] A major contribution to the art is that the proposed fully integrated processes of the present disclosure is really allowing, among others, the processing of bauxite in an economic way while generating no red mud or harmful residues. In addition to the fact of being applicable to other natural of raw materials (any suitable aluminum-containing material or aluminous ores), the fact of using hydrochloric acid total recovery and a global concentration that is higher than the concentration at the azeotropic point (for example about 21% to about 38%), the selective extraction of value added secondary products and compliance (while remaining highly competitive on transformation cost) with environmental requirements, represent major advantages in the art.
[00401] It was thus demonstrated that the present disclosure provides fully integrated processes for the preparation of pure aluminum oxide using a hydrochloric acid treatment while producing high purity and high quality products (minerals) and extracting rare earth elements and rare metals.
[00402] With respect to the above-mentioned examples 1 to 5, the person skilled in the art will also understand that depending on the starting material used (for example, clays, argillite, bauxite, kaolin, serpentine, kyanite nepheline, aluminosilicate materials, mudstone, beryl, cryolite, garnet, spinel, niccolite, kamacite, taenite, limonite, garnierite, laterite, pentlandite, smithsonite, warikahnite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, covellite, bornite, tetrahedrite, malachite, azurite, cuprite, chrysocolla, ecandrewsite, geikielite, pyrophanite, ilmenite, red mud, slag, fly ashes, industrial refractory materials etc.,) some parameters might need to be adjusted consequently. In fact, for example, certain parameters such as reaction time, concentration, temperature may vary in accordance with the reactivity of the selected starting material.
[00403] While a description was made with particular reference to the specific embodiments, it will be understood that numerous modifications thereto will appear to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description and accompanying drawings should be taken as specific examples and not in a limiting sense.

Claims (427)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A process for preparing alumina, said process comprising :
leaching an aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising aluminum ions, magnesium ions and a solid, and separating said solid from said leachate;
substantially selectively precipitating MgCl2 from said leachate and removing said MgCl2 from said leachate;
reacting said leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising said aluminum ions in the form of AlCl3, and separating said precipitate from said liquid, heating said precipitate under conditions effective for converting AlCl3 into Al2O3 and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced;
and heating said MgCl2 under conditions effective for converting it into MgO and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced

2. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight %.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 125 to about 225 °C.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 160 to about 190 °C.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 160 to about 175 °C.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCl having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 185 to about 190 °C.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight %.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 125 to about 225 °C.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 160 to about 190 °C.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 160 to about 175 °C.

11. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 185 to about 190 °C.

12. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 32 weight % at a temperature of about 125 to about 225 °C.

13. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 32 weight % at a temperature of about 160 to about 190 °C.

14. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 32 weight % at a temperature of about 160 to about 175 °C.

15. The process of claim 1, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 32 weight % at a temperature of about 185 to about 190 °C.

16. The process of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said process further comprises recycling said gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % and using said composition for leaching said aluminum-containing material.

17. The process of claim 16, wherein said recycled gaseous HCI so-produced is contacted with water so as to obtain said composition having a concentration of about 26 to about 42 weight % and said composition is reacted, at a temperature of about 125 to about 225 °C, with said aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

18. The process of claim 16, wherein said recycled gaseous HCI so-produced is contacted with water so as to obtain said composition having a concentration of about 28 to about 40 weight % and said composition is reacted, at a temperature of about 150 to about 200 °C, with said aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

19. The process of claim 16, wherein said recycled gaseous HCI so-produced is contacted with water so as to obtain said composition having a concentration of about 30 to about 38 weight % and said composition is reacted, at a temperature of about 150 to about 200 °C, with said aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

20. The process claim 19, wherein said recycled gaseous HCI so-produced is contacted with water so as to obtain said composition having a concentration between 18 and 36 weight %.

21. The process claim 19, wherein said recycled gaseous HCI so-produced is contacted with water so as to obtain said composition having a concentration between 25 and 36 weight %.

22. The process of claim 19, wherein said composition is reacted, at a temperature of about 160 to about 180 °C with said aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

23. The process of claim 19, wherein said composition is reacted, at a temperature of about 160 to about 175 °C with said aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

24. The process of claim 19, wherein said composition is reacted, at a temperature of about 165 to about 170 °C with said aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

25. The process of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein said liquid comprises at least one iron chloride.

26. The process of claim 25, wherein said at least one iron chloride is FeCl2, FeCI3 or a mixture thereof.

27. The process of claim 25 or 26, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C.

28. The process of claim 25 or 26, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C
while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65% by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite, and recovering said hematite.

29. The process of claim 25 or 26, wherein said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 165 to about 170 °C.

30. The process of claim 25 or 26, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C
while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65% by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite; recovering said hematite; and recovering rare earth elements and/or rare metals from said liquid.

31. The process of claim 30, wherein said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 170 °C.

32. The process of claim 30, wherein said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 160 to about 175 °C.

33. The process of any one of claims 1 to 32, comprising calcining MgCl2 into MgO.

34. The process of claim 33, comprising calcining MgCl2 into MgO and recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % and using said composition for leaching said aluminum-containing material.

35. The process of claim 33, comprising calcining MgCl2 into MgO and recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight % and using said composition for leaching said aluminum-containing material.

36. The process of any one of claims 30 to 35, further comprising, downstream of recovery of said rare earth elements and/or rare metals, recovering NaCI from said liquid, reacting said NaCI with H2SO4, and substantially selectively precipitating Na2SO4.

37. The process of any one of claims 30 to 36, further comprising, downstream of recovery of said rare earth elements and/or rare metals, recovering KCI from said liquid, reacting said KCI with H2SO4, and substantially selectively precipitating K2SO4.

38. The process of any one of claims 30 to 35, further comprising, downstream of recovery of said rare earth elements and/or rare metals, recovering NaCI from said liquid, carrying out an electrolysis to generate NaOH and NaOCI.

39. The process of any one of claims 30 to 35 and 38, further comprising, downstream of recovery of said rare earth elements and/or rare metals, recovering KOl from said liquid, reacting said KCI, carrying out an electrolysis to generate KOH and KOCI.

40. The process of claim 25 or 26, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C
while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65% by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite; recovering said hematite; and extracting NaCl and/or KCl from said liquid.

41. The process of claim 40, further comprising reacting said NaCl with H2SO4 so as to substantially selectively precipitate Na2SO4.

42. The process of claim 40, further comprising reacting said KCl with H2SO4 so as to substantially selectively precipitate K2SO4.

43. The process of claim 40, further comprising carrying out an electrolysis of said NaCl to generate NaOH and NaOCl.

44. The process of claim 40, further comprising carrying out an electrolysis of aid KCl to generate KOH and KOCl.

45. The process of any one of claims 1 to 44, wherein said process comprises separating said solid from said leachate and washing said solid so as to obtain silica having a purity of at least 95 %.

46. The process of any one of claims 1 to 44, wherein said process comprises separating said solid from said leachate and washing said solid so as to obtain silica having a purity of at least 98 %.

47. The process of any one of claims 1 to 44, wherein said process comprises separating said solid from said leachate and washing said solid so as to obtain silica having a purity of at least 99 %.

48. The process of any one of claims 1 to 47, wherein said process comprises reacting said leachate with gaseous HCI so as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate comprising said aluminum ions, said precipitate being formed by crystallization of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O.

49. The process of any one of claims 1 to 47, wherein said process comprises reacting said leachate with dry gaseous HCI so as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate comprising said aluminum ions, said precipitate being formed by crystallization of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O.

50. The process of claim 48 or 49, wherein said gaseous HCI has a HCI
concentration of at least 85 % by weight.

51. The process of claim 48 or 49, wherein said gaseous HCI has a HCI
concentration of at least 90 % by weight.

52. The process of claim 48 or 49, wherein said gaseous HCI has a HCI
concentration of about 90 % by weight.

53. The process of claim 48 or 49, wherein said gaseous HCI has a concentration of about 90 % to about 95 % by weight or about 90 % to about 99 % by weight.

54. The process of any one of claims 48 to 53, wherein during said crystallization of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O, said liquid is maintained at a concentration of HCI of about 25 to about 35 % by weight.

55. The process of any one of claims 48 to 53, wherein during said crystallization of AlCl3.6H2O, said liquid is maintained at a concentration of HCI of about 30 to about 32 % by weight.

56. The process of any one of claims 48 to 55, wherein said HCI is obtained from said gaseous HCI so-produced.

57. The process of any one of claims 1 to 56, wherein said process comprises reacting said leachate with HCI recovered during said process and having a concentration of at least 30 % as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate comprising said aluminum ions, said precipitate being formed by crystallization of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O.

58. The process of any one of claims 48 to 57, wherein said crystallization is carried out at a temperature of about 45 to about 65 °C.

59. The process of any one of claims 48 to 57, wherein said crystallization is carried out at a temperature of about 50 to about 60 °C.

60. The process of any one of claims 1 to 59, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 by carrying out a calcination of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O.

61. The process of any one of claims 1 to 60, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of at least 1200 °C for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

62. The process of any one of claims 1 to 60, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of at least 1250 °C for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

63. The process of any one of claims 1 to 60, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of at least 900 °C
for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

64. The process of any one of claims 1 to 63, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into alpha-Al2O3.

65. The process of any one of claims 1 to 60, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of at least 350 °C
for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

66. The process of any one of claims 1 to 60, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of about 180 °C to about 250 °C or of about 350 °C to about 500 °C for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

67. The process of any one of claims 1 to 60, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of about 375 °C to about 450 °C for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

68. The process of any one of claims 1 to 60, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of about 375 °C to about 425 °C for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

69. The process of any one of claims 1 to 60, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of about 385 °C to about 400 °C for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

70. The process of any one of claims 66 to 70, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into beta-Al2O3.

71. The process of any one of claims 1 to 70, wherein converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 comprises carrying out a calcination via a two-stage circulating fluid bed reactor.

72. The process of any one of claims 1 to 70, wherein converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 comprises carrying out a calcination via a two-stage circulating fluid bed reactor that comprises a preheating system.

73. The process of claim 72, wherein said preheating system comprises a plasma torch.

74. The process of claim 73, wherein said plasma torch is effective for preheating air entering into a calcination reactor.

75. The process of claim 73, wherein said plasma torch is effective for generating steam that is injected into a calcination reactor.

76. The process of claim 73, wherein said plasma torch is effective for generating steam that is as fluidization medium in a fluid bed reactor.

77. The process of process of any one of claims 1 to 76, wherein converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 comprises carrying out a one-step calcination.

78. The process of process of any one of claims 1 to 77, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 by carrying out a calcination of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O, said calcination comprising steam injection.

79. The process of claim 78, wherein steam is injected at a pressure of about 200 to about 700 psig.

80. The process of claim 78, wherein steam is injected at a pressure of about 300 to about 700 psig.

81. The process of claim 78, wherein steam is injected at a pressure of about 400 to about 700 psig.

82. The process of claim 78, wherein steam is injected at a pressure of about 550 to about 650 psig.

83. The process of claim 78, wherein steam is injected at a pressure of about 575 to about 625 psig.

84. The process of claim 78, wherein steam is injected at a pressure of about 590 to about 610 psig.

85. The process of any one of claims 78 to 84, wherein steam is injected and a plasma torch is used for carrying fluidization.

86. The process of any one of claims 78 to 84, wherein steam is injected and a plasma torch is used for carrying fluidization.

87. The process of any one of claims 78 to 86, wherein said steam is overheated.

88. The process of any one of claims 1 to 87, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 by carrying out a calcination of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O in which is provided by the combustion of a fossil fuel, carbon monoxide, propane, natural gas, a Refinery Fuel Gas, coal, or chlorinated gases and/or solvants.

89. The process of any one of claims 1 to 87, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 by carrying out a calcination of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O that is provided by the combustion of gas mixture that is a an incoming smelter gas or a reducer offgas.

90. The process of any one of claims 1 to 87, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 by carrying out a calcination of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O that is provided by the combustion of gas mixture that comprises :
CH4 : 0 to about 1% vol;
C2H6 : 0 to about 2% vol;

C3H8 : 0 to about 2% vol;
C4H10 : 0 to about 1% vol;
N2 : 0 to about 0.5% vol;
H2 : about 0.25 to about 15.1 % vol;
CO : about 70 to about 82.5 % vol; and CO2 : about 1.0 to about 3.5% vol.

91. The process of claim 90, wherein O2 is substantially absent from said mixture.

92. The process of any one of claims 1 to 87, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 by carrying out a calcination of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O in which is provided by electric heating, gas heating, microwave heating.

93. The process of any one of claims 1 to 92, wherein converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 comprises carrying out a calcination by means of fluid bed reactor.

94. The process of claim 93, wherein the fluid bed reactor comprises a metal catalyst chosen from metal chlorides.

95. The process of claim 93, wherein the fluid bed reactor comprises FeCl3, FeCl2 or a mixture thereof.

96. The process of claim 93, wherein the fluid bed reactor comprises FeCl3.

97. The process of any one of claims 1 to 96, wherein said process is a semi-continuous process.

98. The process of any one of claims 1 to 96, wherein said process is a continuous process.

99. The process of any one of claims 1 to 98, wherein said process is effective for providing an Al2O3 recovery yield of at least 93 %.

100. The process of any one of claims 1 to 98, wherein said process is effective for providing an Al2O3 recovery yield of about 90 % to about 95 %.

101. The process of any one of claims 1 to 100, wherein said process is effective for providing a Fe2O3 recovery yield of at least 98 %.

102. The process of any one of claims 1 to 100, wherein said process is effective for providing a Fe2O3 recovery yield of about 98 % to about 99.5 %.

103. The process of any one of claims 1 to 102, wherein said process is effective for providing a MgO recovery yield of at least 96 %.

104. The process of any one of claims 1 to 102, wherein said process is effective for providing a MgO recovery yield of about 96 to about 98 %.

105. The process of any one of claims 1 to 104, wherein said process is effective for providing a HCI recovery yield of at least 98 %.

106. The process of any one of claims 1 to 104, wherein said process is effective for providing a HCl recovery yield of at least 99 %.

107. The process of any one of claims 1 to 104, wherein said process is effective for providing a HCI recovery yield of about 98 to about 99.9 %.

108. The process of any one of claims 1 to 107, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached at a pressure of about 4 to about 10 barg.

109. The process of any one of claims 1 to 107, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached at a pressure of about 4 to about 8 barg.

110. The process of any one of claims 1 to 107, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached at a pressure of about 5 to about 6 barg.

111. The process of any one of claims 1 to 110, further comprising, before leaching said aluminum-containing material, a pre-leaching removal of fluorine optionally contained in said aluminum-containing material.

112. The process of any one of claims 1 to 111, comprising leaching said aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions and said solid, separating said solid from said leachate; and further treating said solid so as to separate SiO2 from TiO2 that are contained therein.

113. The process of any one of claims 1 to 111, comprising leaching said aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions and said solid, separating said solid from said leachate; and further treating said solid with HCI so as to separate SiO2 from TiO2 that are contained therein.

114. The process of any one of claims 1 to 111, comprising leaching said aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions and said solid, separating said solid from said leachate; and further treating said solid with HCI at a concentration of less than 20 % by weight, at a temperature of less than 85 °C, in the presence of MgCl2, so as to separate SiO2 from TiO2 that are contained therein.

115. The process of any one of claims 1 to 114, wherein said aluminum-containing material is chosen from aluminosilicate minerals.

116. The process of any one of claims 1 to 114, wherein said aluminum-containing material is argillite.

117. The process of any one of claims 1 to 114, wherein said aluminum-containing material is bauxite.

118. The process of any one of claims 1 to 114, wherein said aluminum-containing material is an industrial refractory material.

119. The process of any one of claims 1 to 114, wherein said aluminum-containing material is red mud.

120. The process of any one of claims 1 to 119, wherein said process is effective for avoiding producing red mud.

121. The process of any one of claims 1 to 120, wherein the recovered HCI
is purified and/or concentrated.

122. The process of claim 121, wherein the recovered HCI is purified by means of a membrane distillation process.

123. The process of claim 121, wherein the recovered HCI is gaseous HCI
and is treated with H2SO4 so as to reduce the amount of water present in the gaseous HCI.

124. The process of claim 123, wherein the recovered HCI is gaseous HCI
and is passed through a packed column so as to be in contact with a H2SO4 countercurrent flow so as to reduce the amount of water present in the gaseous HCI.

125. The process of claim 124, wherein the column is packed with polypropylene or polytrimethylene terephthalate.

126. The process of any one of claims 121 and 123 to 125, wherein the concentration of gaseous HCI is increased by at least 50 %.

127. The process of any one of claims 121 and 123 to 125, wherein the concentration of gaseous HCI is increased by at least 60 %.

128. The process of any one of claims 121 and 123 to 125, wherein the concentration of gaseous HCI is increased by at least 70 %.

129. The process of claim 121, wherein the recovered HCI is gaseous HCI
and is treated with CaCl2 so as to reduce the amount of water present in the gaseous HCI.

130. The process of claim 129, wherein the recovered HCI is gaseous HCI
and is passed through a column packed with CaCl2 so as to reduce the amount of water present in the gaseous HCI.

131. The process of any one of claims 121 to 130, wherein the concentration of gaseous HCI is increased from a value below the azeotropic point before treatment to a value above the azeotropic point after treatment.

132. The process of any one of claims 1 to 131, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate and removed therefrom and then, said leachate is reacted with HCI so as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate comprising said aluminum ions in the form of AlCl3, and separating said precipitate from said liquid.

133. The process of any one of claims 1 to 131, wherein said leachate is reacted with HCI so as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate comprising said aluminum ions in the form of AlCl3, and separating said precipitate from said liquid, and then said MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate and removed therefrom.

134. The process of claim 132 or 133, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions, magnesium ions and said solid, and said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 50 °C.

135. The process of claim 132 or 133, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions, magnesium ions and said solid, and said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 60 °C.

136. The process of claim 132 or 133, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions, magnesium ions and said solid, and said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 75 °C.

137. The process of claim 132 or 133, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions, magnesium ions and said solid, and said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 100 °C.

138. The process of any one of claims 133 to 137, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 5 to about 70 °C.

139. The process of any one of claims 133 to 137, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 10 to about 60 °C.

140. The process of any one of claims 133 to 137, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 10 to about 40 °C.

141. The process of any one of claims 133 to 137, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 15 to about 30 °C.

142. A process for preparing aluminum, said process comprising :
leaching an aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising aluminum ions, magnesium ions and a solid, and separating said solid from said leachate;
substantially selectively precipitating MgCl2 from said leachate and removing said MgCl2 from said leachate;
reacting said leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising said aluminum ions in the form of AlCl3, and separating said precipitate from said liquid;
heating said MgCl2 under conditions effective for converting it into Mg0 and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced;
heating said precipitate under conditions effective for converting AlCl3 into Al2O3 and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced;
and converting said Al2O3 into alumina.

143. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCl having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight %.

144. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 125 to about 225 °C.

145. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 160 to about 190 °C.

146. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 160 to about 175 °C.

147. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 185 to about 190 °C.

148. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a 'concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight %.

149. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 125 to about 225 °C.

150. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 160 to about 190 °C.

151. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with NCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 160 to about 175 °C.

152. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight % at a temperature of about 185 to about 190 °C.

153. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 32 weight % at a temperature of about 125 to about 225 °C.

154. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 32 weight % at a temperature of about 160 to about 190 °C.

155. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI having a concentration of about 18 to about 32 weight % at a temperature of about 160 to about 175 °C.

156. The process of claim 142, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCl having a concentration of about 18 to about 32 weight % at a temperature of about 185 to about 190 °C.

157. The process of any one of claims 142 to 156, wherein said process further comprises recycling said gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % and using said composition for leaching said aluminum-containing material.

158. The process of claim 157, wherein said recycled gaseous HCI so-produced is contacted with water so as to obtain said composition having a concentration of about 26 to about 42 weight % and said composition is reacted, at a temperature of about 125 to about 225 °C, with said aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

159. The process of claim 157, wherein said recycled gaseous HCI so-produced is contacted with water so as to obtain said composition having a concentration of about 28 to about 40 weight % and said composition is reacted, at a temperature of about 150 to about 200 °C, with said aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

160. The process of claim 157, wherein said recycled gaseous HCI so-produced is contacted with water so as to obtain said composition having a concentration of about 30 to about 38 weight % and said composition is reacted, at a temperature of about 150 to about 200 °C, with said aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

161. The process claim 160, wherein said recycled gaseous HCI so-produced is contacted with water so as to obtain said composition having a concentration between 18 and 36 weight %.

162. The process claim 160, wherein said recycled gaseous HCI so-produced is contacted with water so as to obtain said composition having a concentration between 25 and 36 weight %.

163. The process of claim 160, wherein said composition is reacted, at a temperature of about 160 to about 180 °C with said aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

164. The process of claim 160, wherein said composition is reacted, at a temperature of about 160 to about 175 °C with said aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

165. The process of claim 160, wherein said composition is reacted, at a temperature of about 165 to about 170 °C with said aluminum-containing material so as to leaching it.

166. The process of any one of claims 1 to 165, wherein said liquid comprises at least one iron chloride.

167. The process of claim 166, wherein said at least one iron chloride is FeCl2, FeCI3 or a mixture thereof.

168. The process of claim 166 or 167, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C.

169. The process of claim 166 or 167, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65% by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite, and recovering said hematite.

170. The process of claim 166 or 167, wherein said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 165 to about 170 °C.

171. The process of claim 166 or 167, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C
while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65% by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite; recovering said hematite; and recovering rare earth elements and/or rare metals from said liquid.

172. The process of claim 171, wherein said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 170 °C.

173. The process of claim 171, wherein said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 160 to about 175 °C.

174. The process of claim 172 or 173, comprising calcining MgCl2 into MgO.

175. The process of claim 173 or 174, comprising calcining MgCl2 into MgO and recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % and using said composition for leaching said aluminum-containing material.

176. The process of claim 173 or 174, comprising calcining MgCl2 into MgO and recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight % and using said composition for leaching said aluminum-containing material.

177. The process of any one of claims 171 to 176, further comprising, downstream of recovery of said rare earth elements and/or rare metals, recovering NaCI from said liquid, reacting said NaCI with H2SO4, and substantially selectively precipitating Na2SO4.

178. The process of any one of claims 171 to 177, further comprising, downstream of recovery of said rare earth elements and/or rare metals, recovering KCI from said liquid, reacting said KCI with H2SO4, and substantially selectively precipitating K2SO4.

179. The process of any one of claims 171 to 176, further comprising, downstream of recovery of said rare earth elements and/or rare metals, recovering NaCI from said liquid, carrying out an electrolysis to generate NaOH and NaOCl.

180. The process of any one of claims 171 to 176 and 179, further comprising, downstream of recovery of said rare earth elements and/or rare metals, recovering KCI from said liquid, reacting said KCI, carrying out an electrolysis to generate KOH and KOCI.

181. The process of claim 166 or 167, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C
while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65% by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite; recovering said hematite; and extracting NaCI
and/or KCI from said liquid.

182. The process of claim 181, further comprising reacting said NaCI with H2SO4 so as to substantially selectively precipitate Na2SO4.

183. The process of claim 181, further comprising reacting said KCI with H2SO4 so as to substantially selectively precipitate K2SO4.

184. The process of claim 181, further comprising carrying out an electrolysis of said NaCI to generate NaOH and NaOCI.

185. The process of claim 181, further comprising carrying out an electrolysis of aid KCI to generate KOH and KOCI.

186. The process of any one of claims 142 to 185, wherein said process comprises separating said solid from said leachate and washing said solid so as to obtain silica having a purity of at least 95 %.

187. The process of any one of claims 142 to 185, wherein said process comprises separating said solid from said leachate and washing said solid so as to obtain silica having a purity of at least 98 %.

188. The process of any one of claims 142 to 185, wherein said process comprises separating said solid from said leachate and washing said solid so as to obtain silica having a purity of at least 99 %.

189. The process of any one of claims 142 to 188, wherein said process comprises reacting said leachate with gaseous HCI so as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate comprising said aluminum ions, said precipitate being formed by crystallization of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O.

190. The process of any one of claims 142 to 188, wherein said process comprises reacting said leachate with dry gaseous HCI so as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate comprising said aluminum ions, said precipitate being formed by crystallization of AlCl3.cndot.6HO.

191. The process of claim 189 or 190, wherein said gaseous HCI has a HCI concentration of at least 85 % by weight.

192. The process of claim 189 or 190, wherein said gaseous HCI has a HCI concentration of at least 90 % by weight.

193. The process of claim 189 or 190, wherein said gaseous HCI has a HCI concentration of about 90 % by weight.

194. The process of claim 189 or 190, wherein said gaseous HCI has a concentration of about 90 % to about 95 % by weight or about 90 % to about 99 % by weight.

195. The process of any one of claims 189 to 194, wherein during said crystallization of AICI3.cndot.6H2O, said liquid is maintained at a concentration of HCI of about 25 to about 35 % by weight.

196. The process of any one of claims 189 to 194, wherein during said crystallization of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O, said liquid is maintained at a concentration of HCI of about 30 to about 32 % by weight.

197. The process of any one of claims 189 to 194, wherein said HCI is obtained from said gaseous HCI so-produced.

198. The process of any one of claims 142 to 197, wherein said process comprises reacting said leachate with HCI recovered during said processs and ahaving a concentration of at least 30 % as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate comprising said aluminum ions, said precipitate being formed by crystallization of AICI3.cndot.6H2O.

199. The process of any one of claims 189 to 198, wherein said crystallization is carried out at a temperature of about 45 to about 65 °C.

200. The process of any one of claims 189 to 198, wherein said crystallization is carried out at a temperature of about 50 to about 60 °C.

201. The process of any one of claims 142 to 200, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 by carrying out a calcination of AICI3.cndot.6H2O.

202. The process of any one of claims 142 to 200, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of at least 1200 °C for converting AICI3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

203. The process of any one of claims 142 to 200, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of at least 1250 °C for converting AICI3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

204. The process of any one of claims 142 to 200, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of at least 900 °C
for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

205. The process of any one of claims 142 to 200, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into alpha-Al2O3.

206. The process of any one of claims 142 to 200, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of at least 350 °C
for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

207. The process of any one of claims 142 to 200, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of about 350 °C to about 500 °C for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

208. The process of any one of claims 142 to 200, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of about 375 °C to about 450 °C for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

209. The process of any one of claims 142 to 200, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of about 375 °C to about 425 °C for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

210. The process of any one of claims 142 to 200, wherein said process comprises heating said precipitate at a temperature of about 385 °C to about 400 °C for converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3.

211. The process of any one of claims 206 to 220, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into beta-Al2O3.

212. The process of any one of claims 142 to 211, wherein converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 comprises carrying out a calcination via a two-stage circulating fluid bed reactor.

213. The process of any one of claims 142 to 212, wherein converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 comprises carrying out a calcination via a two-stage circulating fluid bed reactor that comprises a preheating system.

214. The process of claim 213, wherein said preheating system comprises a plasma torch.

215. The process of claim 213, wherein said plasma torch is effective for preheating air entering into a calcination reactor.

216. The process of claim 213, wherein said plasma torch is effective for generating steam that is injected into a calcination reactor.

217. The process of claim 213, wherein said plasma torch is effective for generating steam that is as fluidization medium in a fluid bed reactor.

218. The process of process of any one of claims 142 to 217, wherein converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 comprises carrying out a one-step calcination.

219. The process of process of any one of claims 142 to 218, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 by carrying out a calcination of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O, said calcination comprising steam injection.

220. The process of claim 219, wherein steam is injected at a pressure of about 200 to about 700 psig.

221. The process of claim 219, wherein steam is injected at a pressure of about 300 to about 700 psig.

222. The process of claim 219, wherein steam is injected at a pressure of about 400 to about 700 psig.

223. The process of claim 219, wherein steam is injected at a pressure of about 550 to about 650 psig.

224. The process of claim 219, wherein steam is injected at a pressure of about 575 to about 625 psig.

225. The process of claim 219, wherein steam is injected at a pressure of about 590 to about 610 psig.

226. The process of any one of claims 219 to 225, wherein steam is injected and a plasma torch is used for carrying fluidization.

227. The process of any one of claims 219 to 225, wherein steam is injected and a plasma torch is used for carrying fluidization.

228. The process of any one of claims 219 to 225, wherein said steam is overheated.

229. The process of any one of claims 142 to 228, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 by carrying out a calcination of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O in which is provided by the combustion of a fossil fuel, carbon monoxide, propane, natural gas, a Refinery Fuel Gas, coal, or chlorinated gases and/or solvants.

230. The process of any one of claims 132 to 228, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 by carrying out a calcination of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O that is provided by the combustion of gas mixture that is a an incoming smelter gas or a reducer offgas.

231. The process of any one of claims 142 to 228, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 by carrying out a calcination of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O that is provided by the combustion of gas mixture that comprises :

CH4 : 0 to about 1% vol;
C2H6 : 0 to about 2% vol;
C3H8 : 0 to about 2% vol;
C4H10 : 0 to about 1% vol;
N2 : 0 to about 0.5% vol;
H2 : about 0.25 to about 15.1 % vol;
CO : about 70 to about 82.5 % vol; and CO2 : about 1.0 to about 3.5% vol.

232. The process of claim 231, wherein O2 is substantially absent from said mixture.

233. The process of any one of claims 142 to 228, wherein said process comprises converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 by carrying out a calcination of AlCl3.cndot.6H2O in which is provided by electric heating, gas heating, microwave heating.

234. The process of any one of claims 142 to 233, wherein converting AlCl3.cndot.6H2O into Al2O3 comprises carrying out a calcination by means of fluid bed reactor.

235. The process of claim 234, wherein the fluid bed reactor comprises a metal catalyst chosen from metal chlorides.

236. The process of claim 234, wherein the fluid bed reactor comprises FeCl3, FeCl2 or a mixture thereof.

237. The process of claim 234, wherein the fluid bed reactor comprises FeCl3.

238. The process of any one of claims 142 to 237, wherein said process is a semi-continuous process.

239. The process of any one of claims 142 to 237, wherein said process is a continuous process.

240. The process of any one of claims 142 to 239, wherein said process is effective for providing an Al2O3 recovery yield of at least 93 %.

241. The process of any one of claims 142 to 239, wherein said process is effective for providing an Al2O3 recovery yield of about 90 % to about 95 %.

242. The process of any one of claims 142 to 241, wherein said process is effective for providing a Fe2O3 recovery yield of at least 98 %.

243. The process of any one of claims 142 to 241, wherein said process is effective for providing a Fe2O3 recovery yield of about 98 % to about 99.5 %.

244. The process of any one of claims 142 to 243, wherein said process is effective for providing a MgO recovery yield of at least 96 %.

245. The process of any one of claims 142 to 243, wherein said process is effective for providing a MgO recovery yield of about 96 to about 98 %.

246. The process of any one of claims 142 to 245, wherein said process is effective for providing a HCI recovery yield of at least 98 %.

247. The process of any one of claims 142 to 245, wherein said process is effective for providing a HCI recovery yield of at least 99 %.

248. The process of any one of claims 142 to 245, wherein said process is effective for providing a HCI recovery yield of about 98 to about 99.9 %.

249. The process of any one of claims 142 to 248, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached at a pressure of about 4 to about 10 barg.

250. The process of any one of claims 142 to 248, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached at a pressure of about 4 to about 8 barg.

251. The process of any one of claims 142 to 248, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached at a pressure of about 5 to about 6 barg.

252. The process of any one of claims 142 to 251, further comprising, before leaching said aluminum-containing material, a pre-leaching removal of fluorine optionally contained in said aluminum-containing material.

253. The process of any one of claims 142 to 252, comprising leaching said aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions and said solid, separating said solid from said leachate; and further treating said solid so as to separate SiO2 from TiO2 that are contained therein.

254. The process of any one of claims 142 to 252, comprising leaching said aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions and said solid, separating said solid from said leachate; and further treating said solid with HCI so as to separate SiO2 from TiO2 that are contained therein.

255. The process of any one of claims 142 to 254, comprising leaching said aluminum-containing material with HCI so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions and said solid, separating said solid from said leachate; and further treating said solid with HCI at a concentration of less than 20 % by weight, at a temperature of less than 85 °C, in the presence of MgCI, so as to separate SiO2 from TiO2 that are contained therein.

256. The process of any one of claims 142 to 255, wherein said aluminum-containing material is chosen from aluminosilicate minerals.

257. The process of any one of claims 142 to 255, wherein said aluminum-containing material is argillite.

258. The process of any one of claims 142 to 255, wherein said aluminum-containing material is bauxite.

259. The process of any one of claims 142 to 255, wherein said aluminum-containing material is an industrial refractory material.

260. The process of any one of claims 142 to 255, wherein said aluminum-containing material is red mud.

261. The process of any one of claims 142 to 260, wherein said process is effective for avoiding producing red mud.

262. The process of any one of claims 142 to 261, wherein the recovered HCI is purified and/or concentrated.

263. The process of claim 262, wherein the recovered HCI is purified by means of a membrane distillation process.

264. The process of claim 262, wherein the recovered HCI is gaseous HCI
and is treated with H2SO4 so as to reduce the amount of water present in the gaseous HCI.

265. The process of claim 264, wherein the recovered HCI is gaseous HCI
and is passed through a packed column so as to be in contact with a H2SO4 countercurrent flow so as to reduce the amount of water present in the gaseous HCI.

266. The process of claim 265, wherein the column is packed with polypropylene or polytrimethylene terephthalate.

267. The process of any one of claims 262 to 266, wherein the concentration of gaseous HCI is increased by at least 50 %.

268. The process of any one of claims 262 to 266, wherein the concentration of gaseous HCI is increased by at least 60 %.

269. The process of any one of claims 262 to 266, wherein the concentration of gaseous HCI is increased by at least 70 %.

270. The process of claim 262, wherein the recovered HCI is gaseous HCI
and is treated with CaCl2 so as to reduce the amount of water present in the gaseous HCI.

271. The process of claim 262, wherein the recovered HCI is gaseous HCI
and is passed through a column packed with CaCl2 so as to reduce the amount of water present in the gaseous HCI.

272. The process of any one of claims 262 to 271, wherein the concentration of gaseous HCI is increased from a value below the azeotropic point before treatment to a value above the azeotropic point after treatment.

273. The process of any one of claims 142 to 272, wherein said conversion of Al2O3 into aluminum is carried out by means of the Hall-Héroult process.

274. The process of any one of claims 142 to 272, wherein said conversion of Al2O3 into aluminum is carried out by using a reduction environment and carbon at temperature below 200°C.

275. The process of any one of claims 142 to 274, wherein said conversion of Al2O3 into aluminum is carried out by means of the Wohler Process.

276. The process of any one of claims 142 to 274, wherein said conversion of Al2O3 into aluminum is carried out by converting Al2O3 into Al2S3 and then converting Al2S3 into aluminum.

277. The process of any one of claims 142 to 276, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate and removed therefrom and then, said leachate is reacted with HCI so as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate comprising said aluminum ions in the form of AlCl3, and separating said precipitate from said liquid.

278. The process of any one of claims 142 to 276, wherein said leachate is reacted with HCI so as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate comprising said aluminum ions in the form of AlCl3, and separating said precipitate from said liquid, and then said MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate and removed therefrom.

279. The process of claim 277 or 278, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCl so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions, magnesium ions and said solid, and said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 50 °C.

280. The process of claim 277 or 278, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions, magnesium ions and said solid, and said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 60 °C.

281. The process of claim 277 or 278, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions, magnesium ions and said solid, and said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 75 °C.

282. The process of claim 277 or 278, wherein said aluminum-containing material is leached with HCI so as to obtain said leachate comprising aluminum ions, magnesium ions and said solid, and said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 100 °C.

283. The process of any one of claims 277 to 282, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 5 to about 70 °C.

284. The process of any one of claims 277 to 282, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 10 to about 60 °C.

285. The process of any one of claims 277 to 282, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 10 to about 40 °C.

286. The process of any one of claims 277 to 282, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 15 to about 30 °C.

287. A process for preparing various products, the process comprising :

leaching a material comprising a first metal with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising ions of said first metal and a solid, and separating the solid from the leachate;
reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising a chloride of the first metal, and separating the precipitate from the liquid; and heating the precipitate under conditions effective for converting the chloride of the first metal into an oxide of the first metal.

288. The process of claim 287, wherein said process comprises, before reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate, controlling the temperature of said leachate so as to substantially selectively precipitate a second metal in the form of a chloride, and removing said precipitate from said leachate.

289. The process of claim 287, wherein said process comprises, after reacting the leachate with HCI so as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate, controlling the temperature of said leachate so as to substantially selectively precipitate a second metal in the form of a chloride, and removing said precipitate from said leachate.

290. The process of claim 287, 288 or 289, wherein said material is leached with HCI so as to obtain said leachate, and said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 50 °C.

291. The process of claim 287, 288 or 289, wherein said material is leached with HCI so as to obtain said leachate, and said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 60 °C.

292. The process of claim 287, 288 or 289, wherein said material is leached with HCI so as to obtain said leachate, and said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 75 °C.

293. The process of claim 287, 288 or 289, wherein said material is leached with HCI so as to obtain said leachate, and said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 100 °C.

294. The process of any one of claims 288 to 293, wherein said second metal is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 5 to about 70 °C.

295. The process of any one of claims 288 to 293, wherein said second metal is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 10 to about 60 °C.

296. The process of any one of claims 288 to 293, wherein said second metal is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 10 to about 40 °C.

297. The process of any one of claims 288 to 293, wherein said second metal is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 15 to about 30 °C.

298. The process of any one of claims 288 to 297, further comprising treating said precipitate under conditions effective for converting said chloride of said second metal it into an oxide of said second metal and optionally recovering gaseous Ha so-produced;

299. The process of any one of claims 287 to 298, wherein said first metal is chosen from aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, cobalt, magnesium, lithium, manganese, nickel, palladium, platinum, thorium, phosphorus, uranium and titanium, and/or at least one rare earth element and/or at least one rare metal

300. The process of any one of claims 288 to 298, wherein said second metal is chosen from aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, cobalt, magnesium, lithium, manganese, nickel, palladium, platinum, thorium, phosphorus, uranium and titanium, and/or at least one rare earth element and/or at least one rare metal.

301. The process of any one of claims 288 to 298, wherein said second metal is magnesium.

302. The process of any one of claims 287 to 298, wherein said first metal is aluminum.

303. The process of any one of claims 287 to 298, wherein said first metal is aluminum and said second metal is magnesium.

304. The process of claim 287, wherein said process comprises separating the precipitate from the liquid and heating the second metal in order to convert a chloride of the second metal into an oxide of the second metal.

305. The process of any one of claims 287 to 304, wherein said process comprises separating the solid from the leachate;
leaching said solid with an acid so as to obtain another leachate;
and recovering a third metal from said another leachate.

306. The process of claim 305, wherein said third metal is chosen from aluminum, iron, zinc, copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, cobalt, magnesium, lithium, manganese, nickel, palladium, platinum, thorium, phosphorus, uranium and titanium, and/or at least one rare earth element and/or at least one rare metal.

307. The process of claim 306, wherein said third metal is titanium.

308. The process of claim 305, 306 or 307, wherein said acid is chosen from HCI, HNO3, H2SO4 and mixtures thereof.

309. The process of claim 305, 306, 307 or 308, wherein said process comprises recovering said third metal from said another leachate by precipitating said third metal.

310. The process of claim 309, wherein said third metal is precipitated by reacting it with HCI.

311. The process of claim 310, wherein said process further comprises heating the third metal in order to convert a chloride of the third metal into an oxide of the third metal.

312. The process of any one of claims 287 and 304, wherein said first metal is magnesium.

313. The process of any one of claims 287 and 304, wherein said first metal is nickel.

314. The process of any one of claims 287 and 304, wherein said second metal is magnesium.

315. The process of any one of claims 287 and 304, wherein said second metal is nickel.

316. The process of any one of claims 287 and 304, wherein said third metal is magnesium.

317. The process of any one of claims 287 and 304, wherein said third metal is nickel.

318. A process for treating serpentine, said process comprising :
leaching serpentine with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions and a solid, and separating said solid from said leachate;
reacting said leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising MgCl2, and separating said precipitate from said liquid; and heating said precipitate under conditions effective for converting MgCl2 into MgO and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced.

319. The process of claim 318, wherein said process comprises reacting said leachate with gaseous HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising MgCl2.

320. A process for treating serpentine, said process comprising :
leaching serpentine with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions and a solid, and separating said solid from said leachate;
controlling the temperature of said leachate so as to substantially selectively precipitate said magnesium ions in the form of magnesium chloride, and removing said precipitate from said leachate, thereby obtaining a liquid.

heating said MgCl2 under conditions effective for converting MgCl2 into MgO and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced.

321. The process of claim 320, wherein said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 50 °C.

322. The process of claim 320, wherein said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 60 °C.

323. The process of claim 320, wherein said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 75 °C.

324. The process of claim 320, wherein said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 100 °C.

325. The process of any one of claims 320 to 324, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 5 to about 70 °C.

326. The process of any one of claims 320 to 324, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 10 to about 60 °C.

327. The process of any one of claims 320 to 324, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 10 to about 40 °C.

328. The process of any one of claims 320 to 324, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 15 to about 30 °C.

329. The process of any one of claims 320 to 328, wherein said liquid comprises at least one iron chloride.

330. The process of claim 329, wherein said at least one iron chloride is FeCl2, FeCI3 or a mixture thereof.

331. The process of claim 329 or 330, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C.

332. The process of claim 329 or 330, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C
while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65% by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite, and recovering said hematite.

333. The process of claim 329 or 330, wherein said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 165 to about 170 °C.

334. The process of claim 329 or 330, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C
while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65% by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite; recovering said hematite; and recovering rare earth elements and/or rare metals from said liquid.

335. The process of claim 334, wherein said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 170 °C.

336. The process of claim 334, wherein said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 160 to about 175 °C.

337. The process of any one of claims 320 to 336, comprising calcining MgCl2 into MgO.

338. The process of claim 337, comprising calcining MgCl2 into MgO and recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % and using said composition for leaching said serpentine.

339. The process of claim 337, comprising calcining MgCl2 into MgO and recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight % and using said composition for leaching said serpentine.

340. A process for treating a magnesium-containing material, said process comprising :
leaching the magnesium-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions and a solid, and separating said solid from said leachate;
reacting said leachate with HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising MgCl2, and separating said precipitate from said liquid; and heating said precipitate under conditions effective for converting MgCl2 into MgO and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced.

341. The process of claim 340, wherein said process comprises reacting said leachate with gaseous HCI so as to obtain a liquid and a precipitate comprising MgCl2.

342. A process for treating a magnesium-containing material, said process comprising :
leaching the magnesium-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions and ions from at least one metal and a solid, and separating said solid from said leachate;
and precipitating said at least one metal by reacting said leachate with a precipitating agent so as to obtain a liquid comprising said magnesium ions and a precipitate comprising said precipitated at least one metal, and separating said precipitate from said liquid.

343. The process of claim 342, wherein said process comprises substantially selectively precipitating said magnesium ions by reacting said leachate with said precipitating agent.

344. The process of claim 342 or 343, wherein said precipitating agent is Mg(OH)2.

345. The process of any one of claims 342 to 344, wherein said magnesium-containing material is serpentine.

346. The process of any one of claims 342 to 344, wherein said magnesium-containing material is asbestos.

347. The process of any one of claims 342 to 344, wherein said at least one metal is nickel.

348. The process of any one of claims 342 to 344, wherein said at least one metal is cobalt.

349. The process of any one of claims 342 to 344, wherein said at least one metal is iron.

350. The process of any one of claims 342 to 344, wherein said at least one metal is aluminum.

351. A process for treating a material comprising magnesium and at least one other metal, said process comprising :
leaching the material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions and ions from said at least one other metal and a solid, and separating said solid from said leachate; and precipitating said at least one other metal by reacting said leachate with a precipitating agent so as to obtain a liquid comprising said magnesium ions and a precipitate comprising said precipitated at least one metal, and separating said precipitate from said liquid;
treating said liquid so as to cause precipitation of Mg(OH)2; and treating said precipitate so as to substantially selectively isolate said at least one metal therefrom.

352. The process of claim 351, wherein said process comprises substantially selectively precipitating said magnesium ions by reacting said leachate with said precipitating agent.

353. The process of claim 350 or 352, wherein said precipitating agent is Mg(OH)2.

354. The process of any one of claims 350 to 353, wherein said magnesium-containing material is serpentine.

355. The process of any one of claims 350 to 353, wherein said magnesium-containing material is asbestos.

356. The process of any one of claims 350 to 353, wherein said at least one metal is nickel.

357. The process of any one of claims 350 to 355, wherein said at least one metal is cobalt.

358. The process of any one of claims 350 to 355, wherein said at least one metal is iron.

359. The process of any one of claims 35 to 355, wherein said at least one metal is aluminum.

360. The process of any one of claims 350 to 355, wherein said at least one metal is chosen from cobalt and nickel.

361. The process of any one of claims 350 to 355, wherein said material comprises magnesium, nickel and cobalt.

362. The process of claim 360 or 361, wherein cobalt and/or nickel is precipitated at a pH of about 8.5 to about 10.

363. The process of claim 360 or 361, wherein cobalt and/or nickel is precipitated at a pH of about 9 to about 10.

364. The process of any one of claims 350 to 363, wherein said at least one metal is isolated from said precipitate and is further purified by means of a solvent extraction.

365. The process of any one of claims 350 to 363, wherein cobalt and nickel are isolated from said precipitate and are further purified by means of a solvent extraction.

366. The process of any one of claims 350 to 363, wherein cobalt and nickel are isolated from said precipitate and are further purified by means of a solvent extraction so as to separate them from one another.

367. The process of any one of claims 350 to 366, wherein said magnesium contained in said liquid is converted into Mg(OH)2 by means of an hydrolysis reaction.

368. The process of claims 367, wherein Mg(OH)2 is converted into MgO
by means of a calcination reaction.

369. The process of claim 367, wherein Mg(OH)2 is converted into MgO by means of recirculating fluid bed.

370. The process of claim 367, wherein Mg(OH)2 is converted into MgO by means of a spray roaster.

371. The process of claim 367, wherein Mg(OH)2 is converted into MgO by means of a kiln.

372. The process of any one of claims 368 to 371, wherein said calcination is carried out while recovering and/or regenerating HCI.

373. The process of any one of claims 368 to 371, wherein said calcination is carried out while recovering and/or regenerating HCI at a concentration above its azeotropic point.

374. The process of any one of claims 368 to 371, wherein said calcination is carried out while recovering and/or regenerating HCI at its azeotropic point.

375. A process for treating a magnesium-containing material, said process comprising :
leaching the magnesium-containing material with HCI so as to obtain a leachate comprising magnesium ions, and a solid, and separating said solid from said leachate;
controlling the temperature of said leachate so as to substantially selectively precipitate said magnesium ions in the form of magnesium chloride, and removing said precipitate from said leachate, thereby obtaining a liquid;
heating said MgCl2 under conditions effective for converting MgCl2 into MgO and optionally recovering gaseous HCI so-produced.

376. The process of claim 375, wherein said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 50 °C.

377. The process of claim 375, wherein said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 60 °C.

378. The process of claim 375, wherein said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 75 °C.

379. The process of claim 375, wherein said solid is separated from said leachate at a temperature of at least 100 °C.

380. The process of any one of claims 375 to 379, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 5 to about 70 °C.

381. The process of any one of claims 375 to 379, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 10 to about 60 °C.

382. The process of any one of claims 375 to 379, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 10 to about 40 °C.

383. The process of any one of claims 375 to 379, wherein MgCl2 is substantially selectively precipitated from said leachate at a temperature of about 15 to about 30 °C.

384. The process of any one of claims 375 to 383, wherein said liquid comprises at least one iron chloride.

385. The process of claim 384, wherein said at least one iron chloride is FeCl2, FeCl3 or a mixture thereof.

386. The process of claim 384 or 385, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C.

387. The process of claim 384 or 385, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65% by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite, and recovering said hematite.

388. The process of claim 384 or 385, wherein said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 165 to about 170 °C.

389. The process of claim 384 or 385, wherein said liquid is concentrated to a concentrated liquid having a concentration of said at least one iron chloride of at least 30% by weight; and then said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 350 °C
while maintaining a ferric chloride concentration at a level of at least 65% by weight, to generate a composition comprising a liquid and precipitated hematite; recovering said hematite; and recovering rare earth elements and/or rare metals from said liquid.

390. The process of claim 389, wherein said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 155 to about 170 °C.

391. The process of claim 389, wherein said at least one iron chloride is hydrolyzed at a temperature of about 160 to about 175 °C.

392. The process of any one of claims 375 to 383, wherein said liquid comprises aluminum chloride.

393. The process of claim 392, wherein The process of any one of claims 1 to 47, wherein said process comprises reacting said liquid with gaseous HCI so as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate comprising said aluminum ions, said precipitate being formed by crystallization of AICI3.cndot.6H2O.

394. The process of claim 392, wherein said process comprises reacting said liquid with dry gaseous HCI so as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate comprising said aluminum ions, said precipitate being formed by crystallization of AICI3.cndot.6H2O.

395. The process of claim 393 or 394, wherein said gaseous HCI has a HCI concentration of at least 85 % by weight.

396. The process of claim 393 or 394, wherein said gaseous HCI has a HCI concentration of at least 90 % by weight.

397. The process of claim 393 or 394, wherein said gaseous HCI has a HCI concentration of about 95 % by weight.

398. The process of claim 393 or 394, wherein said gaseous HCI has a concentration of about 90 % to about 95 % by weight.

399. The process of claim 393 or 394, wherein said gaseous HCI has a concentration of about 90 % to about 99 % by weight.

400. The process of any one of claims 393 to 399, wherein during said crystallization of AICI3.cndot.6H2O, said liquid is maintained at a concentration of HCI of about 25 to about 35 % by weight.

401. The process of any one of claims 393 to 399, wherein during said crystallization of AICI3.cndot.6H2O, said liquid is maintained at a concentration of HCI of about 30 to about 32 % by weight.

402. The process of any one of claims 393 to 401, wherein said HCI is obtained from said gaseous HCI so-produced.

403. The process of any one of claims 393 to 402, wherein said process comprises reacting said leachate with HCI recovered during said process and having a concentration of at least 30 % as to obtain said liquid and said precipitate comprising said aluminum ions, said precipitate being formed by crystallization of AICI3.cndot.6H2O.

404. The process of any one of claims 393 to 403, wherein said crystallization is carried out at a temperature of about 45 to about 65 °C.

405 The process of any one of claims 393 to 403, wherein said crystallization is carried out at a temperature of about 50 to about 60 °C.

406 The process of any one of claims 375 to 405, comprising calcining MgCl2 into MgO.

407 The process of claim 406, comprising calcining MgCl2 into MgO and recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 25 to about 45 weight % and using said composition for leaching said magnesium-containing material

408 The process of claim 406, comprising calcining MgCl2 into MgO and recycling the gaseous HCI so-produced by contacting it with water so as to obtain a composition having a concentration of about 18 to about 45 weight % and using said composition for leaching said magnesium-containing material

409 The process of any one of claims 287 to 374, wherein said process further comprises extracting aluminum from said material by using the process as defined in any one of claims 1 to 141

410 The process of any one of claims 287 to 374, wherein said process further comprises extracting iron from said material by using the process as defined in any one of claims 1 to 141

411 The process of any one of claims 287 to 374, wherein said process further comprises extracting iron from said material by using the process as defined in any one of claims 1 to 141

412 The process of any one of claims 1 to 411, comprising treating said solid with HCI, in the presence of a metal chloride, so as to separate Si from Ti that are contained therein.

413 The process of any one of claims 1 to 411, comprising treating said solid with HCI at a concentration of less than 20 % by weight, at a temperature of less than 85 °C, in the presence of a metal chloride, so as to separate Si from Ti that are contained therein

414 The process of claim 412 or 413, wherein said solid is treated with HCI and said metal chloride so as to obtain a liquid portion comprising Ti and a solid portion containing Si and wherein said liquid portion is separated from said solid portion.

415. The process of claim 414, wherein said solid is treated with HCI and said metal chloride so as to obtain a liquid portion comprising TICI4.

416 The process of claim 415, wherein said process further comprises converting TiCI4 into TiO2.

417 The process of claim 415, wherein TiCI4 is converted into TiO2 by solvent extraction of the third liquid fraction and subsequent formation of titanium dioxide from said solvent extraction.

418 The process of claim 416, wherein TICI4 is reacted with water and/or a base to cause precipitation of TiO2.

419 The process of claim 416, wherein TiCl4 is converted into TiO2 by means of a pyrohydrolysis, thereby generating HCI

420. The process of claim 416, wherein TiCl4 is converted into TiO2 by means of a pyrohydrolysis, thereby generating HCI that is recycled.

421. The process of any one of claims 412 to 420, wherein said metal chloride is MgCl2.

422. The process of any one of claims 412 to 420, wherein said metal chloride is ZnCl2.

423. The process of any one of claims 1 to 411, wherein said solid comprises TiO2 and SiO2 and said solid is treated with CI2 and carbon in order to obtain a liquid portion and a solid portion, and wherein said solid portion and said liquid portion are separated from one another.

424. The process of claim 423, wherein said liquid portion comprises TiCl2 and/or TiCl4.

425. The process of claim 423, wherein said liquid portion comprises TiCI4.

426. The process of claim 425 further comprising heating TiCI4 so as to convert it into TiO2.

427. The process of any one of claims 416 to 420 and 426, wherein obtained TiO2 purified by means of a plasma torch.