Extraction of Ferronickel Concentrate by Reduction Roasting-Magnetic Separation from Low Grade Laterite Nickel Ore under the Action of Compound Additives

Abstract

Nickel is an important strategic metal in the world. As the sulfide ore containing high-grade nickel is increasingly depleted, the laterite nickel ore, which is rich in resources, has attracted people's attention. In this paper, the reduction roasting-magnetic separation process is used to study the method of preparing ferronickel concentrates from low-grade laterite nickel ore under the action of composite additives (Na 2 CO 3 and CaF 2 ). The research results showed that when the ratio of additives Na 2 CO 3 and CaF 2 was 1:7, reduction temperature was 1250°C, reduction time was 60 min, magnetic field strength was 150 mT, and wet grinding time was 12 min, the nickel grade and recovery extent were 8.39 wt.% and 98.54%, iron grade and recovery extent were 67.70 wt.% and 71.73%.

High-Grade Ferronickel Concentrates Prepared from Laterite Nickel Ore by a Carbothermal Reduction and Magnetic Separation Method

“…As one of the important strategic metals, nickel is widely used in the stainless steel and new material industries owing to its superior mechanical strength, high chemical stability, good ductility, good catalytic activity, and strong corrosion resistance [1][2][3]. The nickel used in the stainless steel industry accounts for approximately 66.2% of the total consumption of nickel worldwide, resulting in dramatically increased demand for nickel in recent years [4]. In nickel production, most metal nickel is produced from nickel sulfide ores, and laterite nickel ore only accounts for about 40% due to its complex mineralogy, low nickel and iron grades, and the high treatment cost [5].…”