The methods chiefly used for the extraction of iron and manganese from their ores are respectively:
Self reduction and carbon reduction
Self reduction and electrolytic reduction
Carbon reduction and self reduction
Cyanide process and carbon reduction
The extraction of iron from its ores primarily involves the process of self reduction, where the iron ore (typically hematite, ) is heated in the presence of carbon monoxide
or hydrogen
. This reduces the iron oxide to metallic iron, which is then collected.
The extraction of manganese from its ores typically involves a combination of processes. The first step is usually the conversion of manganese dioxide into manganese(IV) oxide
or manganese(II) oxide
through a reduction reaction. The next step involves the reduction of manganese oxide to metallic manganese using a method known as electrolytic reduction. In this process, an electrolytic cell is used, where a solution of manganese sulfate is electrolyzed, leading to the deposition of metallic manganese on the cathode.