Summary: | The progressive depletion of primary sources to obtain metals has led to the search for alternative sources for their recovery. In the particular case of titanium, titaniferous sands are a viable option for obtaining this metal. This paper presents the results of the dissolution of titanium from titaniferous sands of Buenos Aires province (Argentina) in a laboratory autoclave (450 mL of capacity). The operating parameters studied were as follows: different acids (HF, H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> and mixtures of these acids); leaching agent concentration, 5–20% <i>v/v</i>; temperature, 75–150 °C; time, 30–180 min; solid–liquid ratio, 0.9–3.6% <i>w/v</i>; stirring speed, 110–550 rpm. The obtained results indicate that the increase in the leaching agent(s) concentration, temperature and time of contact with the acid mixtures have a marked effect on the dissolution reaction of titanium. Optimal conditions to achieve 89% extraction of titanium were obtained by leaching at 123 °C, 330 rpm, 80 min and 1.8% <i>w/v</i> with a mixture of 15% HF (<i>v/v</i>) and 10% H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> (<i>v/v</i>).
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