Recovering Metal Values from a Leach Residue

Abstract

There is also provided a method of treating a metalliferrous material. The method includes providing a metalliferrous material including nickel, cobalt, and iron. At least a fraction of the metalliferrous material is leached with an aqueous solution including dissolved sulphuric acid and dissolved sulphur dioxide in a reaction zone so as to effect production of a leachant including nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate, and iron sulphate. The leachant is contacted with a reagent material in a reaction zone, wherein the reagent material is aqueous ammonia solution, so as to effect production of a reaction product including a product solution component and a solid residue component. The nickel and cobalt are concentrated in the product solution component, and the iron is concentration in the solid residue component.

1 . A method of treating a metalliferrous material, comprising:
 providing a metalliferrous material including at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal and at least one metalliferrous material-based non-target elemental metal;   solubilising at least a fraction of the metalliferrous material so as to effect production of a solubilisation product including an intermediate operative solution, wherein the intermediate operative solution includes a solvent component and a solute component, and wherein the solute component includes at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based elemental metal comprising material, and wherein the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based elemental metal comprising material includes at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material and at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material such that each one of the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material is a one of the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based elemental metal comprising material and each one of the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material is a one of the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based elemental metal comprising material, wherein each one of the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material includes at least one intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal and wherein each one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal of the metalliferrous material and is derived from the metalliferrous material, and wherein each one of the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material includes at least one intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal and wherein each one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal is a one of the at least one metalliferrous material-based non-target elemental metal of the metalliferrous material and is derived from the metalliferrous material, such that the intermediate operative solution includes at least one intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal and at least one intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal;   providing reagent material including at least one precipitation agent material and at least one complexing agent material;   wherein each one of the at least precipitation agent material is configured to react with at least one of the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based elemental metal comprising material when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material so as to effect production of at least one solid residue component-based elemental metal comprising solid material, such that any reaction of a dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material with a precipitation agent material effects production of at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material and each one of the at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal and is derived from the metalliferrous material, and such that any reaction of a dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material with a precipitation agent material effects production of at least one solid residue component-based non-target elemental metal comprising solid material and each one of the at least one solid residue component-based non-target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal is a one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal and is derived from the metalliferrous material;   and wherein each one of the at least complexing agent material is configured to react with at least one of the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based elemental comprising material when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material so as to effect production of at least one product solution component-based elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material, such that any reaction of a dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material with a complexing agent material effects production of at least one product solution component-based target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material and each one of the at least one product solution component-based target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material includes at least one product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal and is derived from the metalliferrous material, and such that any reaction of a dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material with a complexing agent material effects production of at least one product solution component-based non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material and each one of the at least one product solution component-based non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material includes at least one product solution component non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based non-target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one product solution component non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based non-target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced product solution component non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based non-target elemental metal is a one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal and is derived from the metalliferrous material;   providing at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material, wherein the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material is included within the intermediate operative solution such that each one of the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material is a one of the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material, wherein each one of the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material is configured to react with at least one of the at least one precipitation agent material, when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, to effect production of at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material and each one of the at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal and is derived from the metalliferrous material, and wherein each one of the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material is also configured to react with at least one of the at least one complexing agent material, when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, to effect production of at least one product solution component-based target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material and each one of the at least one product solution component-based target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material includes at least one product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal and is derived from the metalliferrous material;   providing at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material, wherein the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material is included within the intermediate operative solution such that each one of the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material is a one of the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material, wherein each one of the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material is configured to react at least with at least one of the at least one precipitation agent material, when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, to effect production of at least one solid residue component-based non-target elemental metal comprising solid material and each one of the at least one solid residue component-based non-target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal is a one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal and is derived from the metalliferrous material;   contacting the intermediate operative solution with the reagent material in a reaction zone, such that production of a product mixture is effected, wherein the product mixture includes a product solution component and a solid residue component, wherein the product solution component includes the at least one produced product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal and any produced product solution component non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based non-target elemental metal, and wherein the solid residue component includes any produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal and the at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal,   such that, with respect to the product solution component, there is provided a respective molar quantity of each one of the at least one produced product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal such that at least one produced product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal molar quantity is provided, and there is also provided a molar quantity of any produced product solution component non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based non-target elemental metal, wherein the ratio of (A1) the sum of the at least one produced product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal molar quantity to (B1) the molar quantity of any produced product solution component non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based non-target elemental metal is defined by R1;   and such that, with respect to the solid residue component, there is provided a molar quantity of any produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal, and there is also provided a respective molar quantity of each one of the at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal such that at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal molar quantity is provided, wherein the ratio of (A2) the molar quantity of any produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal to (B2) the sum of the at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal molar quantity is defined by R2;   wherein R1 is greater than R2.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein R1/R2 is greater than 1000. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the contacting of the intermediate operative solution with the reagent material in the reaction zone effects:
 (i) reaction of each one of the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material with at least one of the at least one precipitation agent material to effect production of at least one solid residue component-based non-target elemental metal comprising solid material, wherein each one of the at least one solid residue component-based non-target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal is a one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal and is derived from the metalliferrous material; 
 (ii) reaction of each one of the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material with at least one of the at least one complexing agent material to effect production of at least one product solution component-based target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material, wherein each one of the at least one product solution component-based target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material includes at least one product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal and is derived from the metalliferrous material; 
   such that the product solution component includes the at least one produced product solution component-based target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material, and the solid residue component includes the at least one produced solid residue component-based non-target elemental metal comprising solid material.   
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 ,
 wherein the contacting of the intermediate operative solution with the reagent material in the reaction zone effects circumstances wherein there is provided a material propensity for each one of the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material to effect reaction with at least one of the at least one precipitation agent material to effect production of at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material, wherein each one of the at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal and is derived from the metalliferrous material.   
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 ,
 wherein the contacting of the intermediate operative solution with the reagent material in the reaction zone effects circumstances wherein there is provided a material propensity for each one of the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material to effect reaction with at least one of the at least one precipitation agent material to effect production of at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material, wherein each one of the at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal and is derived from the metalliferrous material, and wherein there exists a material propensity for at least one of the at least one produced solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material to co-precipitate with at least one of the at least one solid residue component-based non-target elemental metal comprising solid material.   
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 ,
 wherein the contacting of the intermediate operative solution with the reagent material in the reaction zone effects circumstances wherein there is provided a material propensity for each one of the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material to effect reaction with at least one of the at least one precipitation agent material to effect production of at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material, wherein each one of the at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal and is derived from the metalliferrous material, and such that the solid residue component includes the at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material, and wherein there exists a material propensity for at least a fraction of the at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material to become occluded within an agglomerate of the solid residue component.   
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 ,
 wherein the contacting of the intermediate operative solution with the reagent material in the reaction zone effects reaction of each one of the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material with at least one of the at least one precipitation agent material to effect production of at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material, wherein each one of the at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal and is derived from the metalliferrous material;   such that the solid residue component includes the at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material;   and such that there is provided a respective molar quantity of each one of the at least one produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal such that at least one produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal molar quantity is provided, and wherein the molar quantity of any produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental is the sum of the at least one produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal molar quantity, such that the ratio, R2, is defined as the ratio of (A2) the sum of the at least one produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal molar quantity to (B2) the sum of the at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal molar quantity.   
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 ,
 wherein at least one of the at least one produced solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material is co-precipitated with at least one of the at least one solid residue component-based non-target elemental metal comprising solid material.   
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 ,
 such that the solid residue component includes the at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material, and wherein at least a fraction of the solid residue component includes an agglomerate and wherein at least a fraction of the at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material is occluded within the agglomerate.   
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein there is insubstantial propensity for at least one of the at least one at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material to react with any one of the at least one complexing agent when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least a fraction of the metalliferrous material is an agglomerate and at least one of the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal is occluded within the agglomerate. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal includes at least one of nickel and cobalt, and the at least one metalliferrous material-based non-target elemental metal includes iron. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material is a dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material whose target elemental metal is one of nickel and cobalt. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material is: (i) a dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material whose target elemental metal is cobalt, and (ii) a dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material whose target elemental metal is nickel. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material is a dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material whose non-target elemental metal is iron, and wherein the metalliferrous material is contacted with a reductant to effect the solubilisation of at least a fraction of the metalliferrous material. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the reagent material is aqueous ammonia solution, wherein the complexing agent material is aqueous ammonia and the precipitation agent material is aqueous hydroxide ion. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein, in the reaction zone, the ratio of moles of aqueous ammonia to moles of aqueous hydroxide ion is controlled above a predetermined value. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the reductant is an aqueous solution including dissolved sulphuric acid and dissolved sulphur dioxide, wherein the reagent material is aqueous ammonia solution, wherein the complexing agent is aqueous ammonia and the precipitation agent is aqueous hydroxide ion, and wherein, in the reaction zone, the ratio of moles of aqueous ammonia to moles of aqueous hydroxide ion is controlled above a predetermined value. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein, in the reaction zone, the ratio of moles of aqueous ammonia to moles of aqueous hydroxide ion is at least 700. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the concentration of aqueous ammonia in the reaction zone is at least 180 grams per litre. 
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 ,
 wherein the at least one operative intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal is at least one of nickel and cobalt, and wherein there is provided a respective molar quantity of each one of the at least one operative intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal in the reaction zone such that at least one operative target elemental metal molar quantity is provided in the reaction zone, and wherein, in the reaction zone, the ratio of moles of aqueous ammonia to the sum of the at least one operative target elemental metal molar quantity is at least 5:1.   
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the ratio is at least 6:1. 
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the ratio is at least 8:1. 
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 providing a process feed material;   leaching the process feed material in a preliminary leaching zone to effect production of a preliminary leach product including a preliminary leach solution and a preliminary leach solid residue, wherein the preliminary leach solution includes at least one dissolved preliminary operative solution-based target elemental metal;   separating at least a fraction of the preliminary leach solid residue from the preliminary leach product, such that the metalliferrous material includes at least a fraction of the separated preliminary leach solid residue fraction;   wherein the process feed material includes a precursor metalliferrous material source;   and wherein the precursor metalliferrous material source includes at least one precursor metalliferrous material source-based target elemental metal and at least one precursor metalliferrous material source-based non-target elemental metal, and wherein each one of the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one precursor metalliferrous material source-based target elemental metal and at least one of the at least one metalliferrous material-based non-target elemental metal is a one of the at least one precursor metalliferrous material source-based non-target elemental metal;   and wherein the precursor metalliferrous material source includes at least one precursor metalliferrous material source-based target metal sulphide, wherein each one of the at least one precursor metalliferrous material source-based target metal sulphide includes at least one precursor metalliferrous material source target metal sulphide-based target elemental metal, wherein each one of the at least one precursor metalliferrous material source target metal sulphide-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one precursor metalliferrous material source-based target elemental metal;   and wherein the metalliferrous material includes at least one metalliferrous material-based target metal sulphide, and each one of the at least one metalliferrous material-based target metal sulphide is a one of the at least precursor metalliferrous material source-based target metal sulphide and includes at least one metalliferrous material target metal sulphide-based target elemental metal which is a one of the at least one precursor metalliferrous material source-based target elemental metal;   and wherein the contacting of the metalliferrous material with an operative leachant effects production of an intermediate product mixture including the intermediate operative solution and an intermediate solid residue, wherein the intermediate solid residue includes at least one intermediate solid residue-based target metal sulphide, wherein each one of the at least one intermediate solid residue-based target metal sulphide is a one of the at least one metalliferrous material-based target metal sulphide, and wherein each one of the at least one intermediate solid residue-based target metal sulphide includes at least one intermediate solid residue target metal sulphide-based target elemental metal which is a one of the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal;   separating at least a fraction of the intermediate residue from the intermediate product mixture to provide a separated intermediate solid residue; and   recycling the separated intermediate solid residue to the preliminary leaching zone.   
     
     
         25 . The method as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the leaching of the process feed material is effected by contacting the process feed material with an aqueous solution comprising ammonia and ammonium sulphate. 
     
     
         26 . The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the at least one intermediate solid residue-based target elemental metal comprising metal sulphide is at least one of nickel sulphide and cobalt sulphide. 
     
     
         27 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the at least operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal of the intermediate operative solution is the same target elemental metal as a one of the at least one intermediate solid residue target metal sulphide-based target elemental metal. 
     
     
         28 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the at least one dissolved preliminary operative solution-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one precursor metalliferrous material source-based target elemental metal. 
     
     
         29 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the metalliferrous feed is contacted with an operative leachant to effect the solubilisation of at least a fraction of the metalliferrous material. 
     
     
         30 . The method as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the operative leachant is an aqueous solution. 
     
     
         31 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least a fraction of the intermediate product solution is separated from the intermediate product mixture. 
     
     
         32 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, the ratio of (i) moles of the at least one complexing agent material to (ii) moles of the at least one precipitation agent material is controlled above a predetermined value. 
     
     
         33 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, the ratio of (i) moles of the at least one complexing agent material to (ii) moles of the at least one precipitation agent material is greater than 700. 
     
     
         34 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 wherein there is provided a respective molar quantity of each one of the at least one operative intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal in the reaction zone such that at least one operative target elemental metal molar quantity is provided in the reaction zone;   and wherein there is provided a respective molar quantity of each one of the at least one complexing agent material in the reaction zone such that at least one complexing agent molar quantity is provided in the reaction zone;   and wherein, in the reaction zone, the ratio of (A) the sum of the at least one complexing agent molar quantity to (B) the sum of the at least one operative target elemental metal molar quantity is at least 5:1.   
     
     
         35 . The method as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the ratio is at least 6:1. 
     
     
         36 . The method as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the ratio is at least 8:1. 
     
     
         37 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a process feed material, wherein the process feed material includes a precursor metalliferrous material source, and wherein the precursor metalliferrous material source includes at least one precursor metalliferrous material source-based target elemental metal and at least one precursor metalliferrous material source-based non-target elemental metal, and wherein each one of the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one precursor metalliferrous material source-based target elemental metal and at least one of the at least one metalliferrous material-based non-target elemental metal is a one of the at least one precursor metalliferrous material source-based non-target elemental metal;   leaching the process feed material in a preliminary leaching zone to effect production of a preliminary leach product including a preliminary leach solution and a preliminary leach solid residue; and   separating at least a fraction of the preliminary leach solid residue from the preliminary leach product such that the metalliferrous material includes at least a fraction of the separated preliminary leach solid residue;   and wherein the contacting of the metalliferrous material with an operative leachant effects production of an intermediate product mixture including the intermediate operative solution product and an intermediate solid residue, wherein the intermediate solid residue includes at least one intermediate solid residue-based target elemental metal comprising solid material, wherein each one of the at least one intermediate solid residue-based target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one intermediate solid residue-based target elemental metal, and wherein each one intermediate solid residue-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal;   and wherein at least a fraction of the intermediate solid residue is separated from the intermediate product mixture and recycled to the preliminary leaching zone such that the process feed material includes the recycled intermediate solid residue.   
     
     
         38 . A method of treating a metalliferrous material, comprising:
 providing a metalliferrous material including at least one metalliferrous-based target elemental metal and at least one metalliferrous material-based non-target elemental metal, wherein the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal includes at least one of nickel and cobalt, and the at least one metalliferrous material-based non-target elemental metal includes iron;   solubilizing at least a fraction of the metalliferrous material so as to effect production of a solubilisation product including an intermediate operative solution, wherein the intermediate operative solution includes at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution target element metal comprising material and at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution non-target elemental metal comprising material, wherein the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution non-target elemental metal comprising material includes an iron-comprising material and wherein the non-target elemental of the iron comprising material is iron, and wherein,
 when the at least one of nickel and cobalt of the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal is nickel, the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution target elemental metal comprising material includes a nickel-comprising material and wherein the target elemental metal of any nickel-comprising material is nickel; 
 and when the at least one of nickel and cobalt the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal is cobalt, the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution target elemental metal comprising material includes a cobalt comprising material and wherein the target elemental metal of any cobalt comprising material is cobalt; 
 and when the at least one of nickel and cobalt of the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal is nickel and cobalt, the at least one dissolved intermediate operative solution target elemental metal comprising material includes nickel-comprising material and cobalt comprising material and wherein the target elemental metal of the nickel-comprising material is nickel and wherein the target elemental metal of the cobalt comprising material is cobalt; 
   such that the intermediate operative solution includes at least one operative intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal, and the at least one operative intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal is at least one of nickel and cobalt;   and   contacting the intermediate operative solution with a reagent material in a reaction zone, wherein the reagent material is aqueous ammonia solution, so as to effect production of a reaction product including a product solution component and a solid residue component.   
     
     
         39 . The method as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein solubilisation of at least a fraction of the metalliferrous material is effected by contacting the metalliferrous material with an aqueous solution including dissolved sulphuric acid and dissolved sulphur dioxide in a leaching zone. 
     
     
         40 . The method as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein,
 when the at least one of nickel and cobalt of the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal is cobalt, the contacting of the metalliferrous material with an aqueous solution including dissolved sulphuric acid and dissolved sulphur dioxide in a leaching zone effects production of the intermediate operative solution, wherein the intermediate operative solution includes cobalt sulphate and iron sulphate,   and when the at least one of nickel and cobalt of the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal is nickel, the contacting of the metalliferrous material with an aqueous solution including dissolved sulphuric acid and dissolved sulphur dioxide in a leaching zone effects production of the intermediate operative solution, wherein the intermediate operative solution includes nickel sulphate and iron sulphate;   and when the at least one nickel and cobalt of the at least one metalliferrous material-based target elemental metal is cobalt and nickel, the contacting of the metalliferrous material with an aqueous solution including dissolved sulphuric acid and dissolved sulphur dioxide in a leaching zone effects production of the intermediate operative solution, wherein the intermediate operative solution includes nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate, and iron sulphate.   
     
     
         41 . The method as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein,
 when the intermediate operative solution includes nickel sulphate and iron sulphate, the contacting of the intermediate operative solution with the reagent material effects production of the reaction product, wherein the reaction product includes Ni(NH 3 ) 6 SO 4  and ferrous hydroxide;   and when the intermediate operative solution includes cobalt sulphate and iron sulphate, the contacting of the intermediate operative solution with the reagent material effects production of the reaction product, wherein the reaction product includes Co(NH 3 ) 6 SO 4  and ferrous hydroxide;   and when intermediate operative solution includes nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate and iron sulphate, the contacting of the intermediate operative solution with the reagent material effects production of the reaction product, wherein the reaction product includes Ni(NH 3 ) 6 SO 4 , Co(NH 3 ) 6 SO 4 , and ferrous hydroxide.   
     
     
         42 . The method as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein, in the reaction zone, the aqueous ammonia solution includes aqueous ammonia and aqueous hydroxide ion, wherein the ratio of moles of aqueous ammonia to moles of aqueous hydroxide ion is controlled above a predetermined value. 
     
     
         43 . The method as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein, in the reaction zone, the ratio of moles of aqueous ammonia to moles of aqueous hydroxide ion is at least 700. 
     
     
         44 . The method as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the concentration of aqueous ammonia in the reaction zone is at least 180 grams per litre. 
     
     
         45 . The method as claimed in  claim 42 ,
 wherein there is provided a respective molar quantity of each one of the at least one operative intermediate operative solution-based target elemental metal in the reaction zone such that at least one operative target elemental metal molar quantity is provided in the reaction zone,   and wherein, in the reaction zone, the ratio of moles of aqueous ammonia to the sum of the at least one operative target elemental metal molar quantity is at least 5:1.   
     
     
         46 . A method of treating a metalliferrous material, comprising:
 providing an operative solution including a solvent component and a solute component, wherein the solute component includes at least one dissolved operative solution-based elemental metal comprising material, and wherein the at least one dissolved operative solution-based elemental metal comprising material includes at least one dissolved operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material and at least one dissolved operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material such that each one of the at least one dissolved operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material is a one of the at least one dissolved operative solution-based elemental metal comprising material and each one of the at least one dissolved operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material is a one of the at least one dissolved operative solution-based elemental metal comprising material, wherein each one of the at least one dissolved operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material includes at least one operative solution-based target elemental metal, and wherein each one of the at least one dissolved operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material includes at least one operative solution-based non-target elemental metal, such that the operative solution includes at least one operative solution-based target elemental metal and at least one operative solution-based non-target elemental metal;   providing reagent material including at least one precipitation agent material and at least one complexing agent material;   wherein each one of the at least precipitation agent material is configured to react with at least one of the at least one dissolved operative solution-based elemental metal comprising material when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material so as to effect production of at least one solid residue component-based elemental metal comprising solid material, such that any reaction of a dissolved operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material with a precipitation agent material effects production of at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material and each one of the at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the intermediate operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one operative solution-based target elemental metal, and such that any reaction of a dissolved operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material with a precipitation agent material effects production of at least one solid residue component-based non-target elemental metal comprising solid material and each one of the at least one solid residue component-based non-target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal is a one of the at least one operative solution-based non-target elemental metal;   and wherein each one of the at least complexing agent material is configured to react with at least one of the at least one dissolved operative solution-based elemental comprising material
 when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material so as to effect production of at least one product solution component-based elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material, such that any reaction of a dissolved operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material with a complexing agent material effects production of at least one product solution component-based target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material and each one of the at least one product solution component-based target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material includes at least one product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one operative solution-based target elemental metal, and such that any reaction of a dissolved operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material with a complexing agent material effects production of at least one product solution component-based non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material and each one of the at least one product solution component-based non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material includes at least one product solution component non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based non-target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one product solution component non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based non-target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced product solution component non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based non-target elemental metal is a one of the at least one operative solution-based non-target elemental metal; 
   providing at least one operative dissolved operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material, wherein the at least one operative dissolved operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material is included within the intermediate operative solution such that each one of the at least one operative dissolved operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material is a one of the at least one dissolved operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material, wherein each one of the at least one operative dissolved operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material is configured to react with at least one of the at least one precipitation agent material, when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, to effect production of at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material and each one of the at least one solid residue component-based target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one operative solution-based target elemental metal, and wherein each one of the at least one operative dissolved operative solution-based target elemental metal comprising material is also configured to react with at least one of the at least one complexing agent material, when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, to effect production of at least one product solution component-based target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material and each one of the at least one product solution component-based target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material includes at least one product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal is a one of the at least one operative solution-based target elemental metal;   providing at least one operative dissolved operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material, wherein the at least one operative dissolved operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material is included within the operative solution such that each one of the at least one operative dissolved operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material is a one of the at least one dissolved operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material, wherein each one of the at least one operative dissolved operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material is configured to react at least with at least one of the at least one precipitation agent material, when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, to effect production of at least one solid residue component-based non-target elemental metal comprising solid material and each one of the at least one solid residue component-based non-target elemental metal comprising solid material includes at least one solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal, wherein at least one reaction is effected when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, such that at least one solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal is produced by the at least one reaction effected when the operative solution is contacted with the reagent material, wherein each one of the at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal is a one of the at least one operative solution-based non-target elemental metal;   contacting the operative solution with the reagent material in a reaction zone, such that production of a product mixture is effected, wherein the product mixture includes a product solution component and a solid residue component, wherein the product solution component includes the at least one produced product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal and any produced product solution component non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based non-target elemental metal, and wherein the solid residue component includes any produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal and the at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal,
 such that, with respect to the product solution component, there is provided a respective molar quantity of each one of the at least one produced product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal such that at least one produced product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal molar quantity is provided, and there is also provided a molar quantity of any produced product solution component non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based non-target elemental metal, wherein the ratio of (A1) the sum of the at least one produced product solution component target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based target elemental metal molar quantity to (B1) the molar quantity of any produced product solution component non-target elemental metal comprising dissolved complex material-based non-target elemental metal is defined by R1; 
 and such that, with respect to the solid residue component, there is provided a molar quantity of any produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental metal, and there is also provided a respective molar quantity of each one of the at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal such that at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal molar quantity is provided, wherein the ratio of (A2) the molar quantity of any produced solid residue component target elemental metal comprising solid material-based target elemental to (B2) the sum of the at least one produced solid residue component non-target elemental metal comprising solid material-based non-target elemental metal molar quantity is defined by R2; 
 wherein R1 is greater than R2. 
   
     
     
         47 . The method as claimed in  claim 46 , wherein R1/R2 is greater than 100,000. 
     
     
         48 . A method of treating a metalliferrous material, comprising:
 providing a metalliferrous material including nickel, cobalt, and iron;   leaching at least a fraction of the metalliferrous material with an aqueous solution including dissolved sulphuric acid and dissolved sulphur dioxide in a leaching zone so as to effect production of a leachant including nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate, and iron sulphate;   contacting the leachant with reagent material in a reaction zone, wherein the reagent material is aqueous ammonia solution, so as to effect production of a reaction product including a product solution component and a solid residue component.   
     
     
         49 . The method as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein, in the reaction zone, the aqueous ammonia solution includes aqueous ammonia and aqueous hydroxide ion, wherein the ratio of moles of aqueous ammonia to moles of aqueous hydroxide ion is controlled above a predetermined value. 
     
     
         50 . The method as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein, in the reaction zone, the ratio of moles of aqueous ammonia to moles of aqueous hydroxide ion is at least 700. 
     
     
         51 . The method as claimed in  claim 48 , wherein the concentration of aqueous ammonia in the reaction zone is at least 180 grams per litre. 
     
     
         52 . The method as claimed in  claim 48 ,
 wherein there is molar quantity of each one of nickel and cobalt in the reaction zone to define a total target elemental metal molar quantity in the reaction zone,   and wherein, in the reaction zone, the ratio of moles of aqueous ammonia to the total target elemental metal molar quantity is at least 5:1.   
     
     
         53 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein R1/R2 is greater than 100,000. 
     
     
         54 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one operative dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material is a dissolved intermediate operative solution-based non-target elemental metal comprising material whose non-target elemental metal is iron, and wherein the metalliferrous material is contacted with a reductant to effect the solubilisation of at least a fraction of the metalliferrous material.