Acumen:
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
ISSN: 3060-4745
IF(Impact Factor)10.41 / 2024
Volume 1, Issue 5
310
Acumen: International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
EXTRACTING INDIUM FROM POLYMETALLIC ORE DEPOSITS
Muhammadiyev Elbek Mirza o‘g‘li
Assistant at the Department of “Oil, Gas, and Mining Engineering”
Termiz State University of Engineering and Agrotechnology
elbekjonmuhammadiyev94@gmail.com
Shodiyev Ramshid Muxtor o‘g‘li
Termiz State University of Engineering and Agrotechnology
3
rd
Annotation:
Indium naturally occurs in ores alongside copper, tin, zinc, and
other metals, so its extraction is often carried out together with these metals.
Keywords:
indium sulfide (In₂S₃), indium oxide (In₂O₃), ore mining and
beneficiation, sulfidation process, hydrometallurgy, electrolysis process.
1. Ore Mining: The most common ores of indium are indium sulfide (In₂S₃) or
indium oxide (In₂O₃), which are found together with copper, tin, or other metals in ore
form. Therefore, indium is usually extracted during the process of extracting copper or
tin. For example, in the Khondiza mines, copper and indium can be found together.
2. Ore Beneficiation: After mining, the ore is cleaned and concentrated. In this
process, the main metal (for example, copper) is separated from the other metals mixed
with it. During beneficiation, concentrates of copper (or other main metals) are
obtained, and the amount of indium present is determined.
3. Copper Extraction: During the process of extracting copper, the ore is melted
at high temperatures, and pure copper is separated. In this process, other metals (such
as indium) may remain in the smelt (melted form). Indium is usually found in sulfide
form together with copper.
•
In the copper extraction process, when the ore is melted, copper itself is
separated in its pure form (Cu). However, other metals in the ore, such as
indium, zinc, or tin, may remain in the smelting residue.
4. Indium Separation: To separate indium from copper, several chemical
processes are typically used. When copper and indium are melted together, indium can
be separated through the following methods:
Acumen:
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
ISSN: 3060-4745
IF(Impact Factor)10.41 / 2024
Volume 1, Issue 5
311
Acumen: International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Sulfidation (Flotation) Process: This process ensures the separation of metals
in the ore through liquids. To separate indium, copper or other main metals
are left in sulfide form, and indium can be separated using other chemical
methods.
Hydrometallurgy: In this method, chemical solutions (such as acidic
solutions) are used to extract indium. During this process, indium in the ore
separated from copper passes into the solution, and then, through chemical
reactions, pure indium can be obtained.
Electrolysis: Electrolysis can also be used to separate copper and indium.
After pure copper is separated from the copper solution through electrolysis,
the remaining portion of indium can be separated through an electrolytic
method.
5. Obtaining Pure Indium: During the indium separation process, it is obtained
in its pure metal form. This is usually in the form of oxide or sulfide, so further
chemical processing stages are required to obtain pure indium. Pure indium can be
obtained by reducing indium oxide or indium sulfide to metallic indium through
chemical reactions.
CONCLUSION
The process of extracting indium from polymetallic ore deposits is carried out as
a byproduct during the extraction of copper or other main metals. Chemical processes
(sulfidation, hydrometallurgy, electrolysis, etc.) are used to separate indium, and pure
metallic indium is obtained. These processes are often based on large-scale copper
production in industry because indium is usually present in small quantities, and
effective technologies are needed to separate it.
REFERENCES
1.
“Extractive Metallurgy of Non-Ferrous Metals” (Author: R. S. Shad, B. A.
Zanin) — This book provides an in-depth analysis and information on various
polymetallic ores and their separation processes.
2.
“Hydrometallurgy: Fundamentals and Applications” (Author: M. R. Stenhouse)
— A book dedicated to metallurgy and hydrometallurgy processes, including the
technologies for separating valuable metals like indium.
