Overview of the current techniques for iron recovery from red mud

Abstract

Bauxite residue (red mud) is a kind of hazardous waste from alumina refinery from bauxite during the Bayer’s process of alumina production. Red mud can be an environment pollutant unless it is managed well due to high alkalinity and being produced in large quantities. Red mud comprises of a mixture of iron, aluminium, and manganese compounds… and caustic soda residue from the dissolution and separation of bauxite. These are hazardous agents if they are not managed properly by suitable technologies. Currently, red mud has not been treated and processed efficiently by any country in the world. It is often buried in remote land area or coastal land to avoid potential hazard. Due to varied contents of iron in red mud, the iron recovery from red mud has received considerable attention during the recent years. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the current techniques applied for iron recovery from red mud with particular focus on hydrometallurgy and pyrometallury. A completed and closed process which can recover additional values and benefits from red mud is much preferred. Additionally, the effort to recover iron from red mud in Vietnam which resulted in a patent has been carefully covered.