Leaching of Nigeria Limonitic Laterite using Acidified Sodium Thiosulphate

Abstract

This paper describes the experimental findings of the extraction of nickel and iron by atmospheric leaching (AL) of a limonitic nickel laterite ore from Akure, in Ondo State Nigeria. Using Sodium thiosulphate acidified with trichloroacetic acid the effects of concentration of the leaching reagent, leaching time, temperature and particle size of the laterite. The mineralogy of the limonitic laterite ore characterized by X- ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF). The XRF analysis of the laterite sample shows the presence of Ni, Fe, Si, etc. XRD shows hematite, goethite, taenite, quartz and smectite are present in the crystal lattice. Experimental results indicated that within the investigated conditions the leaching rate of nickel was influenced by the increase in temperature and concentration of the leaching reagents but inversely proportional to the particle size.