Abstract:
The average Sc content in coals of the world is estimated at 2–4 g/t [1–5]. Occasionally, the Sc concentration can reach 10–15 g/t of coal and 100–200 g/t of ash . The latter concentrations are comparable with those in wastes of tungsten, titanium, uranium, and other metallurgical works, which currently serve as the main source of this expensive metal (US$ 10 000–20 000/kg). For a long time, the Sc-rich coals have attracted attention as a potential source of Sc. Technology of hydrometallurgical Sc recovery from coal ash was elaborated still in the late 1960s. When developing this technology, the experiments on acid leaching of Sc were performed with coal ashes containing 60–120 g/t Sc.
