ABSTRACT
Some leaching tests have been planned and carried out to reveal some general aspects of the process mechanism in the iron removal process from a kaolin of industrial interest. Chemical leaching tests at different pH (in the range 0.5–1.0) have been carried out to find experimental evidence of some process conditions on the iron extraction yield. The dissolution of other elements were also taken in consideration (Si, Al, Mg, Na and K): during the chemical leaching a variable stoichiometry has been found. The catalytic effect of Fe2+ on the ore leaching under study has been shown but this effect is not so large as reported by other researchers. Possible explanations of this behaviour may be related to the chemical and mineralogical characteristics of the ore under study.
