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Abstract

A chemical process is disclosed for extracting copper or iron (M). The copper or iron is exposed to a leaching solution comprised of a metal salt (m) such that the copper or iron (M) is solvated and the metal ion (m) is reduced according to the reaction 2m.sup.+3.sub.(aq) +M.sub.(s).fwdarw.2m.sup.+2.sub.(aq) +M.sup.+2.sub.(aq). An electrolytic cell has an anion exchange membrane separating an anode chamber from a cathode chamber. The leaching solution with the solvated copper or iron is placed into the cathode chamber of the electrolytic cell. A second solution comprising a reduced state metal salt m.sup.+2 of the salt in the leaching solution is then added to the electrolytic cell anode chamber. A voltage is applied to reduce and deposit the copper Cu.sup.+2 or iron Fe.sup.+2 at the cathode and to oxidize the metal m.sup.+2 at the anode. The oxidized metal m.sup.+2 in the anode chamber is then recycled as leaching solution for solvating copper or iron. The cathode chamber reduced-metal-containing solution is transferred to the anode chamber for oxidation of the reduced metal m.sup.+2.

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