Title: Osmium And Rhenium Extraction From Polymetallic Molybdenum-Containing Ores And Materials
Authors: Mutalibkhonov S.S.
Volume: 9
Issue: 12
Pages: 83-89
Publication Date: 2025/12/28
Abstract:
Osmium (Os) and rhenium (Re) are critical rare and scattered elements frequently occurring as byproducts in polymetallic molybdenum-rich ore processing. Their recovery remains economically and technically challenging due to their low concentrations in primary ores and their dispersion throughout processing products. This review examines contemporary separation and extraction methodologies documented in Scopus-indexed literature, analyzing hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical techniques for selective isolation of Os and Re from complex polymetallic matrices. Results indicate that roasting-based pyrometallurgical approaches combined with subsequent aqueous leaching provide superior selectivity for osmium recovery, while solvent extraction, ion exchange, and sorption-based methods demonstrate effectiveness for rhenium concentration and purification. Integrated multistage processes incorporating both pyrometallurgical pretreatment and hydrometallurgical separation emerge as the most promising strategies for improving recovery rates while minimizing environmental impact. Current industrial implementations achieve rhenium recovery rates between 60-99% depending on ore composition and processing parameters, while osmium recovery remains limited by volatilization losses during high-temperature stages.