World's Nickel Research Articles

Gypsum utilization on selective reduction of limonitic laterite nickel

The world's nickel demand is increasing, especially with more countries starting to produce battery-based electric vehicles. Currently, nickel is the main element used for the fabrication of Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) batteries. Nickel itself can be extracted from its ore through pyrometallurgical route. Selective reduction of nickel using a selective reducing agent is needed in order to produce nickel with appropriate grade. This study aims to study the possibility of gypsum as a selective reducing agent in the direct reduction process. In this process, laterite nickel ores with nickel content of 1.59% were crushed and classified until the feed particle size was smaller than 50 standard mesh. The crushed laterite nickel ores were then mixed with gypsum and a binder material to undergo briquetting and drying. A bed mix composed of limestone powder and coal was added into the crucible alongside the ore briquettes. Carbothermic reduction was done at 1400 °C for 6 h. The product was then crushed and separated through magnetic separation. The reduced product's chemical composition was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray and X-Ray Diffractometer. The results indicate that gypsum can provide a selective effect on the direct reduction process of laterite nickel ore. A selective effect that lowers the grade of iron can occur due to the formation of iron sulfides. The use of 12% gypsum was able to produce a product with Ni grade of 4.13%, Ni recovery of 91.81%, and selectivity factor of 5.72. Therefore, based on the results of this experiment, gypsum minerals can be used as a potential low-cost alternative as an additive for nickel selective reduction.

Dissolution optimization and kinetics of nickel and cobalt from iron‐rich laterite ore, using sulfuric acid at atmospheric pressure

AbstractMore than 70% of the world's nickel reserves are found in laterite ores. In this research, a laterite ore sample, containing Ni, Co, and Fe, was employed to study the recovery of nickel and cobalt. Thus, the effect of calcination, acid concentration, percent solids, and stirring rate on nickel and cobalt recoveries from an iron‐rich laterite sample was investigated. Optimization with response surface methodology and kinetic studies were performed. The calcination of the sample prior to leaching at 500°C for 2 h provided condition for better nickel and cobalt dissolutions. At optimal conditions, the concentration of sulfuric acid, solid‐to‐liquid ratio, stirring speed, temperature, and time test were equal to 5 M, 0.1, 370 rpm, 90°C, and 2 h, respectively. The highest recoveries of nickel and cobalt were 65.9% and 63.1%, respectively. Solids content had a negative effect on Ni and Co recovery, whereas acid concentration was positively affected. Addition of 10% (w/v) NaCl in the presence of 5 M acid concentration, 60°C, 370 rpm, and leaching time of 2 h increased the nickel and cobalt recoveries, 15.3% and 21.4%, respectively. The high dependence of process on temperature indicates chemical control; the activation energies Ea = 59.54 and Ea = 45.74 kJ/mol, respectively, for nickel and cobalt, were also consistent with this conclusion.

An innovative process for extracting scandium from nickeliferous laterite ore: Carbothermic reduction followed by NaOH cracking

Laterite ores account for >60% of the world's nickel resources. This ore contains considerable amount of scandium, a strategic material in increasingly high demand in various industries. Here, an innovative two-step process was developed in which scandium is first concentrated in a slag phase using carbothermic reduction and then is leached using NaOH cracking process. The byproduct of the first step is metallic iron enriched with nickel and cobalt (ferronickel alloy). The carbothermic reduction process was performed at 1400–1600 °C using lignite as a reductant and calcia and/or silica as a fluxing reagent. A systematic study was carried out using a fractional factorial design methodology to investigate the quantitative effect of four variables. Utilizing the results, an empirical model was built to optimize the process for maximizing scandium concentration. Under the optimum conditions, scandium was successfully concentrated in the slag phase >14 times compared with that in the feed material, while at the same time a high-grade ferronickel alloy was produced. Furthermore, fundamental investigations were performed to elucidate the carbothermic reduction reaction mechanism. For NaOH cracking process, the investigated operating parameters were baking temperature, NaOH-to-slag ratio, baking time, and liquid-to-slag ratio. After optimization, 88% of scandium was recovered, indicating the predictability of the empirical model for scandium recovery.

Nickel and associated metals in New Caledonia: Exposure levels and their determinants

The ultramafic massifs of the New Caledonian archipelago contain about 10% of the world's nickel reserves, which also contain significant but lower amounts of cobalt, chromium, and manganese. Natural erosion of these massifs and mining activities may contribute to the exposure of local populations to these metals through contamination of air, food, and water resources. We conducted a biomonitoring survey to evaluate exposure to these four metals and its main determinants by constructing a stratified sample of 732 adults and children (>3 years old) from visitors to 22 health centers across the archipelago. Urine was collected and analyzed by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine metal concentrations. A face-to-face interview was conducted to document sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and dietary habits, and residence-mine distance. Environmental samples (soil, house dust, water, and foodstuffs) were collected from two areas (one with and one without mining activity) to delineate determinants of exposure in more detail. Nickel and chromium were metals with the highest concentrations found in urine, especially in children, at levels exceeding reference values derived from representative national surveys elsewhere throughout the world (for children: 4.7 μg/g creatinine for nickel and 0.50 μg/g creatinine for chromium): 13% of children exceeded the reference value for nickel and 90% for chromium. Large variations were observed by region, age, and sex. In this geological setting, urinary and environmental nickel concentrations appear to be driven mainly by soil content. This is the first archipelago-wide survey of metal exposure in New Caledonia. The potential health consequences of this chronic high exposure need to be assessed.

“Protection to the Sulphur-Smoke Tort-feasors”: The Tragedy of Pollution in Sudbury, Ontario, the World's Nickel Capital, 1884–1927

While there are many tales of mining companies polluting the Canadian communities in which they have operated, Sudbury's early history stands out. It is arguably the most extreme example of an industry dictating to government how the latter dealt with the local pollution problem – in this case, sulphur dioxide emissions. The capstone achievement was the creation of an extrajudicial solution to the problem that permanently suspended the legal rights of residents seeking redress for their grievances. Moreover, the Ontario government was duplicitous in this affair – namely, by zealously luring settlers to the region in an effort to develop farming there even though it was acutely aware of the local pollution problem. Finally, this story is truly tragic because the pollution need never have happened to the extent that it did. The provincial politicians knew full well that the means existed – within a short jaunt of Sudbury no less – to mitigate the problem, but the politicians refused to force the mining firms to adopt them. Retelling Sudbury's story thus highlights how the Ontario government's decision to grant the mining firms practical impunity to pollute the local environment – both human and non-human – was a matter of political choice.

Effect of ammonia molecules on the separation of pentlandite from serpentine using copper (II) as activator

Abstract Pentlandite, the material containing more than 90% of the world's nickel, is typical purified by froth flotation followed by mixing the concentrate with relatively high levels of MgO silicates. Furthermore, serpentine, a source of magnesium silicate, just like pentlandite, can be activated using cupric ion at the pH from 7 to 10, where copper hydroxides are stable species adsorbed on the mineral surface to promote xanthate adsorption. In this study, we used a copper ammonium complex as the selective activator for the pentlandite flotation; it showed a good adaptability to temperature and pH. Compared with the best activation effect of CuSO4, in the actual mineral flotation, the recovery of pentlandite using a cuprammonium solution as an activator increased by 10.18% with a slight decrease in the MgO level, whereas that of pure pentlandite flotation increased by 14%. Compared with the CuSO4 solution, Cu(NH3)42+ is the main stable species of the copper ammonium solution in mild alkaline solution (pH

Effects of Na2SO4 addition on the selective reduction of limonite ore from Southeast Sulawesi

In terms of its process, although only about 40% of the world's nickel reserves are classified as lateritic ore, nickel sulfide still dominates nickel laterite for its practicality. Because of the high demands on nickel, development and research on nickel mineral processing are needed to ensure that the demands are fulfilled from year to year. On this research, a study will be conducted on the effect of adding Na2SO4 to increase the level of nickel content in limonite by selective reduction process. The reduction process is done by heating limonite ore and coal as reducer from room temperature to 1000°C with temperature rising to 10°C/minute in mini furnace on varying addition of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% Na2SO4. After that, the reduction result is tested on XRD and AAS. It has been found that the nickel content has decreased, which is likely due to the excessive reduction time resulting in the magnetite being re-oxidized to hematite. Therefore, based on recovery calculations, the optimal addition of Na2SO4 is 5% by weight where the obtaining nickel content is 1.09%.

Toxicity of nickel to tropical freshwater and sediment biota: A critical literature review and gap analysis.

More than two-thirds of the world's nickel (Ni) lateritic deposits are in tropical regions, and just less than half are within South East Asia and Melanesia (SEAM). With increasing Ni mining and processing in SEAM, environmental risk assessment tools are required to ensure sustainable development. Currently, there are no tropical-specific water or sediment quality guideline values for Ni, and the appropriateness of applying guideline values derived for temperate systems (e.g., Europe) to tropical ecosystems is unknown. Databases of Ni toxicity and toxicity tests for tropical freshwater and sediment species were compiled. Nickel toxicity data were ranked, using a quality assessment, identifying data to potentially use to derive tropical-specific Ni guideline values. There were no data for Ni toxicity in tropical freshwater sediments. For tropical freshwaters, of 163 Ni toxicity values for 40 different species, high-quality chronic data, based on measured Ni concentrations, were found for just 4 species (1 microalga, 2 macrophytes, and 1 cnidarian), all of which were relevant to SEAM. These data were insufficient to calculate tropical-specific guideline values for long-term aquatic ecosystem protection in tropical regions. For derivation of high-reliability tropical- or SEAM-specific water and sediment quality guideline values, additional research effort is required. Using gap analysis, we recommend how research gaps could be filled. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:293-317. © 2017 SETAC.

Agglomeration and column leaching behaviour of nickel laterite ores: Effect of ore mineralogy and particle size distribution

Nickel (Ni) laterites account for about 60–70% of the world's nickel mineralization. The processing of low grade (e.g., 1% Ni) laterite ores is favoured by the use of the more cost-effective hydrometallurgical techniques (e.g., atmospheric agitated tank or heap leaching) instead of smelting. Application of heap leaching which boasts of low capital and operating expenditures, however, is very limited due to intractable challenges such as poor heap porosity/permeability associated with most laterite feed ores. Feed particles' agglomeration into robust and porous agglomerates of right size range enables permeable and geotechnically stable bed required for successful heap leaching to be constructed. In this paper, several basic and applied studies of the agglomeration and column leaching behaviour of real Ni laterite ores are reported. The work involved isothermal, batch agglomeration tests carried out to produce 5–40mm agglomerates which were characterized and subjected to >100days of laboratory column leaching. The effect of feed ore characteristics (e.g., mineralogy/chemistry and particle size distribution) on agglomeration behaviour and agglomerates' column leaching behaviour was investigated through several characterization techniques including agglomerate size, compressive strength, 3D micro-structure analyses and laboratory column leaching tests. Links between feed mineralogy/chemistry and size, binder dosage, agglomeration behaviour, agglomerate properties and leaching behaviour are established. The significance of the findings to Ni laterite plant agglomeration for enhanced heap leaching is discussed.

Performance of nanopowder copper base alloys in rubbing contacts: I.V. Frishberg et al. (Fine Metal Powders Research and Production Co.,. Yekaterinburg, Russia.)

Nickel as cathodes, rounds, powders, and salts, is recognized as a useful substance in heavy industry. Today, only a few producers recover this important metal, which is employed worldwide in diverse commercial and residential applications. Nickel and associated metal values are traditionally recovered from ores by mineral processing, smelting and refining processes. Associated host minerals contain non-ferrous metals such as copper, cobalt, precious metals such as gold and silver, and the platinum group of metals. The future trend is expected to involve the processing of laterites, which account for about 70% of the world's nickel resources, by means of efficient pressure acid leaching and SX-EW facilities. Large quantities of laterites are found in Australia, Cuba, Indonesia, New Caledonia, and the Philippines. Laterites are easily mined by open pit methods whereas sulphidic ores generally involve more expensive underground mining. Cobalt, zinc, and copper are extracted from these sources as by-products. Modern automated plants for processing laterites feature state-of-the-art technology and environmental compliance. Production plants range in nameplate annual capacity from 10 to 50 thousand metric tonnes of nickel contained in the final product(s).On a worldwide basis the writers are aware of 12 nickel electrowinning refineries which produce class I nickel products. The paper describes the established industrial processes for nickel recovery by means of being electrowon from either an aqueous sulphate medium or chloride medium after initial leaching and solution purification techniques. Laterites are the main source of feedstock for production of ferronickel as described herein. The paper includes information regarding nickel-bearing deep sea nodules and secondary scrap processing to recover nickel values. For completeness, other extraction processes involving pellets from the carbonyl process, nickel powders, and briquettes are noted in the compendium of nickel processing practice which includes pyrometallurgical principles. The purpose of the review for nickel operating practice is to provide a complete extractive processing summary rather than the reader reviewing many authors.

Nickel laterite processing and electrowinning practice

Nickel as cathodes, rounds, powders, and salts, is recognized as a useful substance in heavy industry. Today, only a few producers recover this important metal, which is employed worldwide in diverse commercial and residential applications. Nickel and associated metal values are traditionally recovered from ores by mineral processing, smelting and refining processes. Associated host minerals contain non-ferrous metals such as copper, cobalt, precious metals such as gold and silver, and the platinum group of metals. The future trend is expected to involve the processing of laterites, which account for about 70% of the world's nickel resources, by means of efficient pressure acid leaching and SX-EW facilities. Large quantities of laterites are found in Australia, Cuba, Indonesia, New Caledonia, and the Philippines. Laterites are easily mined by open pit methods whereas sulphidic ores generally involve more expensive underground mining. Cobalt, zinc, and copper are extracted from these sources as by-products. Modern automated plants for processing laterites feature state-of-the-art technology and environmental compliance. Production plants range in nameplate annual capacity from 10 to 50 thousand metric tonnes of nickel contained in the final product(s).On a worldwide basis the writers are aware of 12 nickel electrowinning refineries which produce class I nickel products. The paper describes the established industrial processes for nickel recovery by means of being electrowon from either an aqueous sulphate medium or chloride medium after initial leaching and solution purification techniques. Laterites are the main source of feedstock for production of ferronickel as described herein. The paper includes information regarding nickel-bearing deep sea nodules and secondary scrap processing to recover nickel values. For completeness, other extraction processes involving pellets from the carbonyl process, nickel powders, and briquettes are noted in the compendium of nickel processing practice which includes pyrometallurgical principles. The purpose of the review for nickel operating practice is to provide a complete extractive processing summary rather than the reader reviewing many authors.

CANADA New Giant of the North

Download Hi-Res ImageDownload to MS-PowerPointCite This:Chem. Eng. News Archive 1952, 30, 24, 2478-2483

The Mineral Resources of Canada and the Development of the Mining Industry

The mining industry in Canada developed slowly from the time of early settlement until near the close of the last century. During the past thirty years there has been a rapid growth not only in the production of minerals but also in appreciation of the importance of the country's mineral resources. At the present time there is the greatest activity in searching for new deposits in vast, unprospected areas, and in the development of the important ore deposits that have recently been discovered. The finding in Canada of* some of the world's larger and richest ore deposits has made capital available for further exploration on a scale unthought of a short time ago. The building of truck roads and railways and the use of the airplane have opened up extensive tracts to the prospector that until recently were far beyond his reach. Prospecting is being carried on by large companies, well financed and equipped with the latest mechanical means of transportation. These companies are exploring the remote northern portions of the Precambrian Shield and the mountainous zone that flanks the Pacific ocean. The growth in the mining industry has been most marked in the production of the metals. The production of non-metallic minerals has shown a steady and healthy growth and in most respects has kept pace with the increase in population but the increase in the output of gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc and nickel has been in some instances spectacular. Canada produces about 90 per cent of the world's nickel and she stands third among the countries of the world in the production of gold and silver. The increase in lead, zinc and copper mining in recent years has been very gratifying and this increase, particularly in the mining of copper and zinc, will be greatly accelerated during the next few years by production from the large copper-nickel deposits in the Sudbury nickel field and the copper-zinc deposits of western Quebec and northern Manitoba. In 1885 the total value of Canada's mineral production was only about $10,000,000. By 1900 it had risen to over $63,000,000 and in 1928 it was more than $273,000,000. The per capita value in 1886 was $2.23, in 1900, $12.04 and in 1928 over $27.00, showing a very favourable situation in one of the country's basic industries.