Study of the Eco-Friendly Chemical Leaching of Cassiterite Ore Obtained from Du, Jos South, Plateau State, Nigeria in Acidic Media for Tin Extraction

Abstract

The present era is witnessing a steady increase in demand for tin metal due to their use as critical 
components in the telecommunication, economic and industrial fabric of every nation. Many developing 
countries are diversifying their economies particularly to solid mineral development; through utilization of 
modern metal extraction technologies that are not only eco-friendly but also lead to extraction of high 
percentage of tin metal with high degree of purity. In this study, chemical leaching of cassiterite ore mined 
from Du community in Jos South, Plateaus State, Nigeria has been investigated. The significant mineral 
composition of the ore was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma− Graphite Furnace Atomizer to be: 
60.98% SnO₂, 8.70% SiO₂, 5.70% ZrO₂, 5.56% Fe₂O₃, 4.81% NbO, 4.07% TiO₂, 3.26% Bi₂O₃, 2.99% WO₃, 
2.33% CuS₂, 0.694% MnO₂, 0.65% Al₂O₃ while XRF analysis showed elemental compositions of: 75.194% 
Bal, 7.168% Sn, 6.146% Zr, 3.471% Fe, 2.976% Nb, 2.027% Ti, 1.176% W, 0.665% Cu, 0.542% Bi, 
0.257% Mn and 0.187% Se. The results of HNO3 acid leaching and tin recovery using neutral extractant 
showed the highest yield of Sn (94.80%) achieved with 5.0M acid in 360 minutes, 130^oC and with the 
stirring speed of 600 rpm. In overall, the leaching efficiency of Sn (98.70%) and the percentage yield of Sn 
extracted was found to depend on leaching temperature, time, acid concentration and stirring speed. This 
could be utilized in scaled-up and optimized production of tin via solvent extraction, for socio-economic 
development in the era of diversification to the non-oil sector.