Laterite Ore Research Articles

Effect of pulp density and particle size on indirect bioleaching of Pomalaa nickel laterite using metabolic citric acid

Nickel laterite ore contains oxide of iron, aluminum or both with nickel, cobalt and chromium which can be leached out using hydrometallurgical process. For the purpose of meeting the world’s increasing demand of nickel, there is a need to invent environmentally friendly process to efficiently leach nickel. This experiment used nickel laterite ore obtained from Pomalaa, South Sulawesi. The leaching agent is metabolic citric acid produced by Aspergillus niger under optimum condition. Leaching process was done in three-necked flask in atmospheric temperature and constant stirring speed of 200 rpm. The variable examined in the experiment was pulp density and particle size of nickel laterite ore. Samples were taken at 3, 7, 10, 14, and 17 minutes and then filtered and diluted to be analyzed using ICP-AES. The result of the experiment showed the maximum recovery of metals increase with the decrease of the pulp density. The maximum recovery for varying pulp density were at 5% solid/liquid ratio and the recovery were Ni at 1.63%, Al at 0.47%, Fe at 0.23% and Mg at 1.09%. The effect of particle size on leaching process showed that the leaching process follows the shrinking core model. The maximum recovery of metals at particle size were at 100-120 mesh with Ni at 1.37%, Fe at 0.10%, Al at 0.72% and Mg at 0.62%.

Synthesis and characterization of Co3O4 prepared from atmospheric pressure acid leach liquors of nickel laterite ores

A chemical precipitation–thermal decomposition method was developed to synthesize Co3O4 nanoparticles using cobalt liquor obtained from the atmospheric pressure acid leaching process of nickel laterite ores. The effects of the precursor reaction temperature, the concentration of Co2+, and the calcination temperature on the specific surface area, morphology, and the electrochemical behavior of the obtained Co3O4 particles were investigated. The precursor basic cobaltous carbonate and cobaltosic oxide products were characterized and analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, specific surface area analysis, and electrochemical analysis. The results indicate that the specific surface area of the Co3O4 particles with a diameter of 30 nm, which were obtained under the optimum conditions of a precursor reaction temperature of 30°C, 0.25 mol/L Co2+, and a calcination temperature of 350°C, was 48.89 m2/g. Electrodes fabricated using Co3O4 nanoparticles exhibited good electrochemical properties, with a specific capacitance of 216.3 F/g at a scan rate of 100 mV/s.

Facile Synthesis of Spinel Ferrites with Enhanced Magnetic Properties from Two Intractable Metallurgical Resources: Zinc-Bearing Dust and Nickel Laterite Ore

Nickel laterite ore and zinc-bearing dust are multi-metal-associated and intractable resources. Comprehensive and cooperative utilization of zinc-bearing dust and nickel laterite ore for the preparation of spinel ferrites with enhanced magnetic properties by a facile process was proposed. The structure and magnetic properties of as-prepared spinel ferrites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS). The effect of mass ratios of zinc-bearing dust to nickel laterite ore, calcination temperature, and Zn substitution content on the as-prepared samples was investigated in detail. A single phase of Zn-substituted spinel ferrites (x= 0.00, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.30) could be obtained when the mass ratios were controlled at 1:0.4, 1:4:1.8, 1:2:1.5, and 1:1:1.2 after being calcined at 900 ∘C for 30 min, respectively. The magnetic property tests present that the as-prepared spinel ferrite exhibits enhanced magnetic properties with the saturation magnetization (Ms) value of 66.8 emu g− 1 and the coercivity (Hc) value of 26 Oe when the mass ratio was controlled at 1:1:1.2. This research could provide an effective way to transfer two intractable resources into soft magnetic materials.

Concentration and Separation of Scandium from Ni Laterite Ore Processing Streams

The presence of a considerable amount of scandium in lateritic nickel-cobalt ores necessitates the investigation of possible processing alternatives to recover scandium as a byproduct during nickel and cobalt production. Therefore, in this study, rather than interfering with the main nickel-cobalt production circuit, the precipitation-separation behavior of scandium during a pH-controlled precipitation process from a synthetically prepared solution was investigated to adopt the Sc recovery circuit into an already existing hydrometallurgical nickel-cobalt hydroxide processing plant. The composition of the synthetic solution was determined according to the hydrometallurgical nickel laterite ore processing streams obtained from a HPAL (high-pressure sulphuric acid leaching) process. In order to selectively precipitate and concentrate scandium with minimum nickel and cobalt co-precipitation, the pH of the solution was adjusted by CaCO3, MgO, Na2CO3, and NaOH. It was found that precipitation with MgO or Na2CO3 is more advantageous to obtain a precipitate containing higher amounts of scandium with minimum mass when compared to the CaCO3 route, which makes further processing more viable. As a result of this study, it is proposed that by a simple pH-controlled precipitation process, scandium can be separated from the nickel and cobalt containing process solutions as a byproduct without affecting the conventional nickel-cobalt hydroxide production. By further processing this scandium-enriched residue by means of leaching, SX (solvent extraction), and precipitation, an intermediate (NH4)2NaScF6 product can be obtained.

Solvent extraction behaviour of scandium from lateritic nickel-cobalt ores using different organic reagents

Solvent extraction behaviour of scandium from lateritic nickel-cobalt ores using different organic reagents

Magnetic multi-metal co-doped magnesium ferrite nanoparticles: An efficient visible light-assisted heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst synthesized from saprolite laterite ore

Magnetic nanoparticles of multi-metal co-doped magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) were synthesized from saprolite laterite ore by a hydrothermal method, and firstly proposed as a heterogeneous photon-Fenton-like catalyst for degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The factors that influence the degradation reaction including pH value, the concentration of H2O2 and the amount of catalyst, were systematically investigated. The doped MgFe2O4 exhibited a degradation efficiency up to 96.8%, and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiencies about 85.6% and 68.3%, respectively, under visible light illumination for 180min. The high activity is mainly attributed to the high specific surface area of the catalyst and the synergistic interaction between photo-catalytic oxidation and Fenton-like oxidation. Moreover, the catalyst also showed good stability and recycling performance for degrading RhB. After five consecutive degradation cycles, the activity decayed no more than 10%. Compared to other catalysts prepared from pure chemical agents, the multi-metal co-doped MgFe2O4 is more competitive due to its high activity, good stability, ease of recollection, and especially the use of saprolite laterite ore as precursor. This work may provide a new avenue to synthesize efficient ferrite catalysts for degrading organic pollutants in wastewater by using natural minerals.

Iron, aluminium and chromium co-removal from atmospheric nickel laterite leach solutions

Atmospheric leaching (AL) of low-grade nickel laterite ores often produces leach liquor containing significant amounts of trivalent iron, aluminium and chromium ions. These impurities are normally removed by increasing the leach liquor pH to precipitate these metals before the recovery of nickel, cobalt and other metal values. This paper documents an investigation of the removal of iron, aluminium and chromium from both synthetic and real nickel laterite AL leach solutions using single- and multi-stage precipitation methods. Single-stage precipitation experiments performed using synthetic leach solutions containing Fe(III) + Ni(II) + Al(III), Fe(III) + Ni(II) + Cr(III), and Fe(III) + Ni(II) + Al(III) + Cr(III) showed that greater losses of nickel to solids occurred in the presence of aluminium and chromium. Increasing the pH value of the solution and the precipitation temperature favoured the removal of iron, aluminium and chromium, but at a cost of greater nickel losses. However, by carefully controlling pH and temperature using a multi-stage precipitation process, the iron, aluminium and chromium can be rejected effectively by precipitation with minimal nickel loss and desirable sludge properties. The optimum conditions for a multi-stage precipitation process were found to be pH 3.0 and 55 °C in the first stage and pH 3.0 and 85 °C in the second stage. Using this approach, as much as 95% iron and chromium together with more than 80% aluminium can be removed; the level of nickel loss to the solid can be reduced to below 1%. The sludge showed a fast settling rate of 5.05 m/h following the addition of a cationic flocculant. Similar satisfactory results were also obtained when performing this multi-stage precipitation procedure with real leach solutions.

Characteristic of Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Heat Rolled Laterite Steel with Variety of Size Reduction

Indonesia has the most laterite ore reserves in the world. The element originated from the laterite ore is one of the materials in the steel industry. Despite its plentiful of reserves, laterite steel ore has not been used to its maximum potential. This research aims to overview reduction effect on mechanical properties of laterite steel as a result of heated rolling process with various reduction. The reduction variety used in this research were 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60%. Also, the temperature was 980oC. As a result of this research, the increment of reduction followed by the increment of hardness and firmness level of laterite steel. It is proofed by hardness and tensile test. Firmness of the material increased as the reduction increases. The most optimized mechanical properties obtained by 50% reduction, the hardness number was 280.03 HB, tensile strength 620 MPa, elongation 32%, yield 493.33 MPa. Micro structures which formed in this process are ferrite and pearlite phase with very fine pellet size and even pearlite distribution. Fracture types are brittle and ductile fracture with very fine pellet size.

The 2.1 Ga-old injectite network of the Franceville Basin, Gabon: Architecture, origin and implications on manganese mineralization

Detailed sedimentological investigations on numerous outcrops and drill-core sections in the 2.1-Ga-old Franceville basin, Gabon, provide evidence for a large-scale injectite network. The injectites were formed by the injection of sands through a thickness of about 150m of the FB1 Member, and now cover a minimum area of 70km2 corresponding to the Bangombé plateau, but are also recognized close to Franceville 35km farther south-east. The injectite lithology corresponds to a mud- or carbonate-supported sandstone characterized by a loose and uncompacted fabric contrasting with the host-rock. Because the injectites are often parallel to subparallel to the stratification, they were misinterpreted as depositional beds by previous authors. At outcrop, the injectite bodies exhibit sill, dyke, wing and protrusive geometries emplaced during early burial within poorly compacted material, with partial wall erosion and dissociation. The source of the sand material is attributed to a channel-levee turbidite depositional system located in the lower part of the FB1 Member. These deposits were buried by a thick biochemical muddy cap deposited during a starvation phase, which increased the seal capacity of the system. This type of architecture has a high potential to develop compaction disequilibrium during burial. Moreover, in the case of the Francevillian injectites, the abundance of microbial organic matter favoured early methane degassing and lateral charging of the sand reservoir. The overpressure in the channels was periodically released during early burial, through the effect of rapid sedimentary and tectonic loading, and possible seismic activity. The fluidized sand was injected according to a symmetrical wing pattern. Thus, the injected masses caused a local decrease in the grade of the lateritic manganese ore deposit of the Bangombé plateau.

How to Sustain Mineral Resources: Beneficiation and Mineral Engineering Opportunities

Research Article| October 01, 2017 How to Sustain Mineral Resources: Beneficiation and Mineral Engineering Opportunities Johan P.R. De Villiers Johan P.R. De Villiers 1 Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa E-mail: Johan.deVilliers@up.ac.za Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Johan P.R. De Villiers 1 Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa E-mail: Johan.deVilliers@up.ac.za Publisher: Mineralogical Society of America First Online: 29 Nov 2017 Online Issn: 1811-5217 Print Issn: 1811-5209 Copyright © 2017 by the Mineralogical Society of AmericaMineralogical Society of America Elements (2017) 13 (5): 307–312. https://doi.org/10.2138/gselements.13.5.307 Article history First Online: 29 Nov 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Johan P.R. De Villiers; How to Sustain Mineral Resources: Beneficiation and Mineral Engineering Opportunities. Elements 2017;; 13 (5): 307–312. doi: https://doi.org/10.2138/gselements.13.5.307 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyElements Search Advanced Search The sustainability of a mineral resource depends, among other aspects, on what the mineral in question will be used for, price fluctuations, future resource requirements, and downstream manufacturing. A balance must be struck between the long-term commitment of developing a mineral deposit against the short-term threats of a changing commercial and social environment. Long-term resource sustainability is dependent both on increased efficiency, which improves profitability, and on revitalizing marginal mines. This is illustrated through breakthroughs in the processing of low-grade copper and refractory gold ores, as well as nickel laterite ores. Retreatment of mine wastes and tailings can also increase the sustainability of mining activity. Ongoing research and development is also helping to sustain mineral resource exploitation. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Thermodynamic Analysis of the Selective Reduction of a Nickeliferous Limonitic Laterite Ore by Hydrogen

AbstractNickeliferous limonitic laterite ores are becoming increasingly attractive as a source of metallic nickel as the costs associated with recovering nickel from the sulphide ores increase. Unlike the sulphide ores, however, the laterite ores are not amenable to concentration by conventional mineral processing techniques such as froth flotation. One potential concentrating method would be the pyrometallurgical solid state reduction of the nickeliferous limonitic ores at relatively low temperatures, followed by beneficiation via magnetic separation. A number of reductants can be utilized in the reduction step, and in this research, a thermodynamic model has been developed to investigate the reduction of a nickeliferous limonitic laterite by hydrogen. The nickel recovery to the ferronickel phase was predicted to be greater than 95 % at temperatures of 673–873 K. Reductant additions above the stoichiometric requirement resulted in high recoveries over a wider temperature range, but the nickel grade of the ferronickel decreased.

Effect of Cr2O3 Pickup on Dissolution of Lime in Converter Slag

AbstractApplication of low-nickel laterite ore containing chromium as charging material for ironmaking can reduce raw material costs, but result in an increase of chromium content in the hot metal and hence, Cr2O3 content in the steelmaking slag, which subsequently causes many problems related to lime dissolution for the steelmaking operation. In this work, a rotating cylinder method was employed to study the effect of Cr2O3 on lime dissolution in steelmaking slag. The lime dissolution mechanism, rate control step and affecting factors, including slag basicity, FeOx and B2O3 content, and the formation of phases at reacted layer, were discussed. It was found that mass transfer was the rate control step in slag phase, increase of Cr2O3 and slag basicity delayed lime dissolution due to the formation of high-melting temperature phases of FeO · Cr2O3 spinel and 2CaO · SiO2 at the slag/lime reacted interface. Addition of B2O3 promoted lime dissolution and suppressed formation of FeO · Cr2O3 spinel.

Factors Affecting the Upgrading of a Nickeliferous Limonitic Laterite Ore by Reduction Roasting, Thermal Growth and Magnetic Separation

There is considerable interest in the development of new processes to extract the nickel from the oxidic nickeliferous laterite deposits, as the global nickel sulphide resources are rapidly becoming more difficult to access. In comparison to sulphide ores, where the nickel-containing mineral can be readily concentrated by flotation, nickel laterites are not amenable to significant upgrading, due to their complex mineralogy. In this paper, firstly, a brief overview of the conventional techniques used to process the nickeliferous limonitic laterites is given, as well as a review of current research in the area. Secondly, a thermodynamic model is developed to simulate the roasting process and to aid in the selection of process parameters to maximize the nickel recovery and grade and also to minimize the magnetite content of the concentrate. Thirdly, a two-stage process involving reduction roasting and thermal growth in either a tube furnace or a rotary kiln furnace, followed by magnetic separation, was investigated. Thermogravimetric, differential thermal and mineral liberation analyses techniques were utilized to further understand the process. Finally, the nickel grades and recovery results were compared to those available in the literature.

OPTIMIZATION OF NICKEL EXTRACTION FROM LATERITIC ORE IN HYDROCHLORIC ACID SOLUTION WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE BY TAGUCHI METHOD

Taguchi optimization method was used to determine optimum conditions for the extraction of nickel from lateritic ore in hydrochloric acid solution with hydrogen peroxide. Leaching time, stirring speed, temperature, hydrochloric acid concentration and hydrogen peroxide concentration were chosen as parameters. The optimum conditions for dissolution were found as leaching time of 240 min, a temperature of 70°C, hydrochloric acid concentration of 3 M, hydrogen peroxide concentration of 0.1 M and without stirring. The experimental results under optimum leaching conditions, showed that the extraction of nickel from lateritic ore was 90.66%. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to experimental results. Percentage contributions of each factor for the extraction of nickel were determined.

DISSOLUTION KINETICS OF NICKEL FROM GÖRDES (MANİSA-TURKEY) LATERITIC ORE BY SULPHURIC ACID LEACHING UNDER EFFECT OF SODIUM FLUORIDE

In this study, dissolution kinetics of nickel from Gordes (Manisa-Turkey) lateritic ore by sodium fluoride in sulphuric acid solution was investigated. The effects of stirring speed, sulphuric acid concentration, sodium fluoride concentration and temperature on nickel extraction were examined. To determine the dissolution kinetics of nickel in sulphuric acid medium under effect of sodium fluoride, shrinking core model was applied to dissolution recoveries. As a result of kinetic studies, it was determined that mixed kinetic model was appropriate. The activation energy (Ea) for the dissolution was calculated as 41.24 kJ/mol.

Key factors affecting nickel recovery during the segregation of laterite ores

ABSTRACTThe segregation process as applied to nickel laterite ores involves the formation of gaseous nickel and iron chlorides which are subsequently reduced to form ferronickel on the surface of a solid carbon reductant. A fundamental study of the process has been carried out using limonite, nontronite and garnierite ores. The study highlighted the significant impacts that ore mineralogy and carbon addition have on the amount of nickel which is segregated rather than retained within the ore due to in situ reduction. These important aspects affecting nickel recovery and the success of the process are discussed in this paper.

Waste Valorization Process: Sulfur Removal and Hematite Recovery from High Pressure Acid Leach Residue for Steelmaking

The current study put the emphasis on developing a novel and environmentally friendly waste valorization process to refine hematite from the residue of the high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) of nickel laterite ore. The developed process consists of an alkaline leaching step utilizing sodium hydroxide to reduce the sulfur impurity content in the HPAL residue. This novel process is very efficient as it can be run at room temperature in a significantly short residence time (10 min). The refined HPAL residue has sulfur content below the accepted threshold by the steelmaking industry; hence, it can potentially be used as a raw material. The proposed waste valorization process has the double advantage of generating a commercially valuable product from otherwise a waste stream and simultaneously providing environmental benefits through reducing the amount of scrapped leach residue and costs associated with constructing and maintaining storage facilities.

Extraction of nickel and cobalt from nickeliferous limonitic laterite ore using borax containing slags

The diminishing availability of nickel sulfide ores and the increasing demand for nickel and its compounds have led to a growing interest in laterite deposits as an alternative source for producing nickel. However, extracting nickel from laterite ores differs from sulfides because nickel contained minerals are generally disseminated throughout the ore. Laterites cannot be concentrated using classic mineral processing techniques such as flotation.The present study proposes a new smelting process for limonitic nickeliferous laterite ore in order to separate nickel and cobalt from the ore and produce a nickel matte at lower smelting temperature compared with the current industrial techniques. The nickel and cobalt recoveries were evaluated at various flux additions. The highest recovery condition for Ni (98% Ni recovery with Ni content of 10wt%) was achieved with the addition of 27g of flux (50%Na2CO3+35%Na2B4O7·10H2O+15%SiO2), 0.8g coke and 5g elemental sulfur to 25g of the roasted ore. The above conditions led to achieving 95% Co recovery with 0.06% Co.

Separation of Co(II) and Ni(II) from chloride leach solution of nickel laterite ore by solvent extraction with Cyanex 301

A hydrometallurgical process was developed to recover Co(II) and Ni(II) from the chloride leach liquor of laterite ore. Most of Co(II) and Ni(II) together with a small amount of Al(III) were selectively extracted over other elements by Cyanex 301 from the feed solution at pH 1 which contained Co(II), Ni(II), Al(III), Ca(II), Mg(II) and Mn(II). From the loaded Cyanex 301, Co(II) and Al(III) were selectively stripped by 3 M HCl solution, and then Ni(II) was completely stripped by 10M HCl solution. The McCabe-Thiele plots for the extraction and stripping isotherms were constructed. Batch simulation experiments for the counter-current extraction and stripping indicated that the recovery percentage of Co(II) and Ni(II) was 92.6 and 95.7%, respectively. Moreover, the purity of Ni(II) in the stripping solution was reached 99.5%. A process flowsheet for the recovery of Co(II) and Ni(II) from the laterite leach liquor was proposed.

Recovery of Co(II) and Ni(II) from chloride leach solution of nickel laterite ore by solvent extraction with a mixture of Cyanex 301 and TBP

Cyanex 301 can extract both Ni(II) and Co(II) from the leach solution of nickel laterite ore. About 10mol/L HCl solution is needed to strip Ni(II) from the loaded Cyanex 301. To overcome this difficulty, a mixture of Cyanex 301 with TBP was employed to develop a process for the recovery of Co(II) and Ni(II) from the laterite leach liquor. It was found that this mixture showed synergism on the extraction of Ni(II) and significant improvement in Ni(II) stripping was obtained. A developed process was proposed, in which Co(II) and Ni(II) were selectively extracted by this mixture over other elements, and then stripped with 3 and 7mol/L HCl solutions, respectively. A comparison of single Cyanex 301 and Cyanex 301+TBP process was made and discussed in detail. The essential advantages of single Cyanex 301 process were retained in this mixture process, while the main drawback in Ni(II) stripping was improved. Batch-type experiments were conducted to simulate multi-stage counter-current extraction and stripping, indicating that Ni(II) of 99.96% purity was obtained with a recovery percentage of 92.7%.