Abstract. Nickel laterite ores are important nickel resources, which are abundant and account for approximately 70% of the world nickel reserves. However, nickel in nickel laterite ores could not be extracted by conventional separation methods. Consequently, treating and utilizing nickel laterite ores efficiently is of vital importance. This article reviews hydrometallurgical processes, pyro metallurgical methods, and reduction roasting-magnetic separation technique with reference to current studies of treating processes for nickel laterite ores.