Improvements in or relating to ion-exchange processes

In a "resin-in-pulp" ionexchange process for recovering metal values from an ore pulp, the ion-exchanger is in the form of one or more upwardly-extending sheets and the solid particles present in the pulp are maintained in suspension by the upward passage of a gas through the pulp. The invention is particularly applicable to the recovery of uranium by anion exchange from a pulp formed by leaching a uranium ore with sulphuric acid to form a pulp having a pH of 1.5 and a solid content of 60% by weight. Uranium may be removed from such a pulp by contact with a strong base quaternary ammonium resin in bead form bonded together by polyethylene. Elution may be effected with a solution of N sodium chloride, N/10 with respect to sulphuric acid. The apparatus is shown in section in Fig. 2 where a contacting vessel 1 with a conical bottom 5 is provided with vertical sheets 2 of ion-exchange material. Pulp enters and leaves the vessel through channels at the top, as shown at 4, and circulation is effected by blowing air from pipe 10 through a perforated plate 6 whereby the pulp circulates up through the mineral of the vessel and down adjacent the walls.