Recovery of Ni, Co, Mn, and Mg from nickel laterite ores using alkaline oxidation and hydrochloric acid leaching

Abstract

Many of the impurities present in the hydrochloric acid leaching liquors obtained after the treatment of Ni laterite and serpentine ores can be removed in a preliminary purification step. However, Mn and Mg typically persist in the liquor. In addition, the liquor also contains Ni and Co. This paper describes the separation of Mn and Mg from Ni–Co chloride solutions by alkaline oxidation and acid leaching processes and the preparation of Ni–Co residues, MnO2, and MgO from the separated components. The effects of variables such as time, temperature, pH, and concentrations of NaOH, H2O2, and HCl on the reactive behaviors of the above metallic components are investigated. Under optimal conditions including a NaOH concentration of 5wt.%, H2O2 concentration of 10wt.%, HCl concentration of 10wt.%, and oxidation pH of 9.0, the recoveries of Ni, Co, Mn, and Mg are nearly 100%, 93.07%, 93.76%, and 99.07%, respectively. The products of Ni–Co residues, MnO2, and MgO are suitable as raw materials for industrial applications.