Infrared and Raman spectroscopy have been used to study a range of solid
state and aqueous solution species which are of interest in extractive
metallurgy. In the solid state new Cu(II)/CN'/NH3 complexes have been
detected, iron impurities in kaolin characterised, aluminium substitution
in hematite and goethite quantified, and the crystallinity and orientation
of zircon determined in heterogeneous crystals. In aqueous solution metal
cyanide complexes and equilibria were readily characterised, the thermal
decomposition of SO2 monitored and products identified, and
complexation of AI(III) by hydroxycarboxylates observed. Attempts to
monitor the early stages of the gelling of silicate solutions were less
successful, with only changes in the gel being detected. However, the
degradation of 12-tungstosilicic acid was readily monitored as a function
of both time and pH.