Abstract:The microwave assisted leaching of the vanadium bearing-high carbonaceous shale process was investigated using surface response methodology (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design (BBD). The effect of important factors such as CaF 2 usage, H 2 SO 4 concentration, leaching time and microwave power, as well as the interactive coefficients, the signification of the model and factors were analyzed. With the condition of 9.8 wt % CaF 2 , 23.0 vol % H 2 SO 4 , 170.6 min and 350 W, the actual values of vanadium (V) leaching efficiency in microwave heating (MH) and conventional heating (CH) were 85.43% and 79.64%, which agreed well with the predicted values. Meanwhile, the influence order of the factors in MH and CH was CaF 2 dosage > H 2 SO 4 concentration > leaching time. Microwave was an efficacious impetus for V extraction, but the microwave power itself was not a significant factor when the temperature of leaching system was high enough. The further characterization of mineral components before and after leaching confirmed that the prior dissolving of muscovite and pyrite in MH was intensified, while both minerals were in fine grains and filled with black carbon. The selective heating of carbon and pyrite sequenced the large temperature gradient between solids and liquids, which accelerated the dissolving reaction of muscovite with CaF 2 present in MH condition.