Extraction of valuable metals from low-grade nickeliferous laterite ore by reduction roasting-ammonia leaching method

Abstract

Nickel and cobalt were extracted from low-grade nickeliferous laterite ore using a reduction roasting-ammonia leaching method. The reduction roasting-ammonia leaching experimental tests were chiefly introduced, by which fine coal was used as a reductant. The results show that the optimum process conditions are confirmed as follows: in reduction roasting process, the mass fraction of reductant in the ore is 10%, roasting time is 120 min, roasting temperature is 1 023–1 073 K; in ammonia leaching process, the liquid-to-solid ratio is 4:1(mL/g), leaching temperature is 313 K, leaching time is 120 min, and concentration ratio of NH₃ to CO₂ is 90 g/L:60 g/L. Under the optimum conditions, leaching efficiencies of nickel and cobalt are 86.25% and 60.84%, respectively. Therefore, nickel and cobalt can be effectively reclaimed, and the leaching agent can be also recycled at room temperature and normal pressure.

Keywords

low-grade nickeliferous laterite ore / nickel / cobalt / reduction roasting / ammonia leaching / extraction

References

[1] LiJ.-h., ChengW., XiaoZ.-hai.. Review on process technologies of laterite-nickel ore [J]. Hydrometallurgy of China, 2004, 23(4): 191-194

[2] CAO Yi-sheng. The status quo and prospects of nickel industry at home and abroad [J]. World Nonferrous Metal, 2005(10): 67–71. (in Chinese)

[3] HeH.-hua.. Present situation and development trend of world nickel industry [J]. Nonferrous Smelting, 2001, 12(6): 1-3

[4] LAN Xing-hua. The survey of world’s nickel laterite smelter[J]. World Nonferrous Metal, 2006 (11): 65–70. (in Chinese)

[5] CuiH.-t., XueP., XuY.-sheng.. China’s nickel metallurgical process development and technological progress [J]. Mining and Metallurgy, 1997, 6(2): 43-55

[6] BcrgrnanR. A.. Nickel production from low-iron laterite ores: process descriptions [J]. CIM Bulletin, 2003, 1072: 127-138

[7] LiuY., ZhaiY.-c., WangHong.. Research on production process of nickel [J]. Materials Review, 2006, 20(3): 79-81

[8] LiX.-m., TangL., LiuS.-liang.. Technology of treating nickel-bearing laterite [J]. Ferro-alloys, 2007, 38(4): 24-28

[9] KingM. G.. Nickel laterite technology—Finally a new dawn? [J]. JOM, 2005, 57(7): 35-39

[10] PowerL. F., GeigerG. H.. The application of the reduction roast-ammoniacal ammonium carbonate leach to nickel laterites [J]. Minerals Science, 1997, 9(1): 32-50

[11] WhittingtonB., MuirD. M.. Pressure acid leaching of nickel laterites: A review [J]. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, 2000, 21(6): 527-600

[12] WhittingtonB. I., McdonaldR. G., JohnsonJ. A., MuirD. M.. Pressure acid leaching of Bulong nickel laterite ore. Part I: Effect of water quality [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2003, 70(1/3): 31-46

[13] GeorgiouD., PapangelakisV. G.. Sulphuric acid pressure leaching of a limonitic laterite: Chemistry and kinetics [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 1998, 49(1/2): 23-46

[14] CotoO., GaliziaF., HernadezI., MarreroJ., DonatiE.. Cobalt and nickel recoveries from laterite tailings by organic and inorgnic bio-acids [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2008, 94(1/4): 18-22

[15] KarB. B., SwamyY. V., MurthyB. V. R.. Design of experiments to study the extraction of nickel from lateritic ore by sulphatization using sulphuric acid [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2000, 56(3): 387-394

[16] XuY.-b., XieY.-t., YanL., YangR.-dong.. A new method for recovering valuable metals from low-grade nickeliferous oxide ores [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2005, 80(4): 280-285

[17] ValixM., TangJ. Y., CheungW. H.. The effects of mineralogy on the biological leaching of nickel laterite ore [J]. Mineral Engineering, 2001, 14(12): 1629-1635

[18] Agatzini LeonardouS., ZafiratosI. G.. Beneficiation of a Greek serpentinic nickeliferous ore. Part II: Sulphuric acid heap and agitation leaching [J]. Hydrometallurgy, 2004, 74(3/4): 267-275

[19] PurwantoH., ShimadaT., TakahashiR., YagiJ. I.. Recovery of nickel from selectively reduced laterite ore by sulphuric acid leaching[J]. ISIJ International, 2003, 43(2): 181-186

[20] FuF.-m., HuQ.-y., LiX.-h., WangZ.-x., LiJ.-h., LiL.-jun.. Reduction leaching of lateritic nickel by dilute hydrochloric acid solution [J]. Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, 2009, 29(4): 74-76

[21] ChangY.-f., ZhaiX.-j., FuY., LiB.-c., ZhangT.-an.. Sulphuric acid leaching kinetics of pre-reduced laterite ores [J]. Journal of Molecular Science, 2008, 24(4): 241-245

[22] MohapatraS., PradhanN., MohantyS., SuklaL. B.. Recovery of nickel from lateritic nickel ore using Aspergillus Niger and optimization of parameters [J]. Minerals Engineering, 2009, 22(3): 311-313

[23] CaronM. H.. Fundamental and practical factors in ammonia leaching of nickel and cobalt ores [J]. Metals, 1950, 188: 67-90

[24] KasherininovG. O.. Behaviour of iron in ammonia solutions during leaching of cobalt from its ores [J]. J Appl Chem VSSR, 1960, 33(6): 1225-1236