Solvent extraction of molybdenum from acidic leach solution of Ni–Mo ore

A P204 (D2EHPA) diluted with sulfonated kerosene was used for the selective extraction of molybdenum from an acidic Ni–Mo ore leach solution that was reduced using sodium thiosulfate. The results indicate that P204 (D2EHPA) is an effective extractant for the extraction of molybdenum. The extraction of Mo is more than 90 % at pH of 0.5, contact time of 10 min, and organic-to-aqueous phase (O/A) ratio of 1:1 with 10 vol% P204 (D2EHPA). Molybdenum in the loaded organic phase can be effectively stripped with ammonium acid carbonate solution, and the stripping of molybdenum with 60 g·L−1 ammonium acid carbonate solution is 94.67 % at O/A ratio of 2:1 and contact time of 10 min.