Optimizing low-grade manganese carbonate extraction using sulfuric acid and oxalic acid

Background Manganese is mainly used as an alloying agent because as a pure metal it is too delicate. According to the Royal Society of Chemistry (2015), adding manganese steel raises the steel alloy’s strength, workability and resistance to wear and tear, and manganese is usually mined in areas such as China, Africa, Australia and Gabon, with other sources including the ancient manganese nodules found along the Missouri River, which contain smaller amounts of manganese along with many other elements. These nodules contain less than 35 percent manganese, making them a low-grade manganese source. Low-grade extraction is too expensive for industrial consumers because of the total value of manganese recovered in relation to the cost.