Oxidized Nickel Ore Heap Leaching

Abstract

Processing oxidized nickel ores (ONO) by shaft smelting is unprofitable. Introduction of hydrometallurgical methods will resolve this problem. In this work, according to X-ray phase (X-ray diffraction) and X-ray spectral microanalysis (XMA), the main sources of nickel and cobalt in the ONO are minerals of the serpentine group, primarily lizardite and antigorite. Heap leaching of nickel from ONO is studied and dependences are established for nickel extraction from acid solutions, acid consumption, and leaching duration. Parameters for leaching for the pause between irrigation, acid concentration, and the number of solution circulations at stages up to 10%, 20%, and ≥ 50% nickel extraction are proposed.