Extraction of valuable metals from low nickel matte by calcified roasting−acid leaching process

Abstract

A calcified roasting−acid leaching process was developed as a highly effective method for the extraction of valuable metals from low nickel matte in the presence of CaO additive. The influences of process parameters on the metal extraction were studied, including the roasting temperature, roasting time, addition of CaO, H2SO4 concentration and liquid−solid ratio. Under the optimum condition, 94.2% of Ni, 98.1% of Cu, 92.2% of Co and 89.3% of Fe were recovered. Additionally, 99.6% of Fe was removed from the leachate as goethite by a subsequent goethite iron precipitation process. The behavior and mechanism of CaO additive in the roasting process was clarified. The role of CaO is to prevent the formation of nonferrous metal ferrite phases by a preferential reaction with Fe2O3 during the roasting process. The metal oxides (CuO and NixCu1−xO) remained stable during high-temperature roasting and were subsequently efficiently leached using a sulfuric acid solution.