Relationship between process mineralogical characterization and beneficiability of low-grade laterite nickel ore

Abstract

Process mineralogy of low-grade laterite nickel ore in Indonesia was systematically characterized and the beneficiation process of mineral components such as limonite, serpentine and chromite was studied on the basis of process mineralogy. The results show that the low-grade laterite nickel ore is a typical weathering sedimentary metamorphic oxidized ore, with the main valuable elements of Ni, Co and Cr and the main mineral components of limonite, serpentine, chromite, etc. There is no independent carrier mineral of Ni and Co in the raw ore, and the occurrence states of Ni and Co are relatively dispersed. For the limonite in laterite nickel mine, the nickel bearing magnetite concentrate with nickel grade of 1.98% and recovery rate of 88.42% can be obtained by reduction roasting magnetic separation process. For the serpentine in laterite nickel mine, the cobalt bearing concentrate with Co grade of 0.17% and recovery rate of 23.17% can be obtained by positive and reverse flotation process. A chromium concentrate containing 35.17% Cr₂O₃ and a recovery of 33.42% can be obtained by using the combined process of coarse and fine classification and gravity and magnetic.

Keywords

laterite nickel ore / low grade / process mineralogy / characterization / beneficiability

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