Abstract

A process for the removal of ferric iron as hematite from a nickel solution containing ferric and ferrous ions including the steps of: iv) raising the temperature of the nickel solution to between 90°C and the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure; v) raising the pH of the nickel solution to be between 2 and 3; and vi) adding a hematite seed to facilitate hematite precipitation; wherein ferric ions are precipitated as hematite in a predominantly crystalline form.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/20 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching
• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt

Abstract

A process for the production of a high grade nickel product including the steps of: a) providing at least one heap of a nickeliferous lateritic ore and leaching that heap with a suitable lixiviant, preferably sulfuric acid solution, to produce a nickel rich pregnant leach solution (PLS); b) subjecting the PLS to an impurity removal step to precipitate ferric iron, and preferably partially precipitate aluminium and chromium as hydroxides; and c) recovering a high grade nickel product from the PLS preferably by either nickel ion exchange, solvent extraction, electrowinning, conventional multi-stage neutralization, pyrohydrolysis or sulfidation.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/08 - Sulfuric acid
• C22B 3/42 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by ion-exchange extraction
• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt

Abstract

This invention relates to open cut mines and in particular an improved slope to of an open cut mine. The slope includes a substantially vertical batter face (5) with a plurality of reinforcing members (10) spaced from a crest (7) of the batter face (5).

IPC Classes  ?

• E02D 17/18 - Making embankments
• E02D 17/20 - Securing of slopes or inclines
• E21C 41/26 - Methods of surface mining; Layouts therefor

Abstract

A method of agglomerating a nickel laterite ore comprising the steps of: i) feeding a nickel laterite ore material to be agglomerated into an agglomeration circuit; and ii) adding a sulfuric acid containing agglomerating solution to the ore material in the agglomeration circuit to provide an agglomerated ore material, wherein the acid concentration of the agglomerating solution is between 100 to 400 g/L.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt
• C22B 1/14 - Agglomerating; Briquetting; Binding; Granulating
• C22B 3/08 - Sulfuric acid

Abstract

A method for separating nickel containing lateritic ore into limonite and saprolite fractions, the method including the steps of : (a) providing said lateritic ore in particulate form; (b) forming a slurry of said particulate ore; (c) subjecting the ore slurry to a size separation procedure to separate the limonite and saprolite fractions on a selected threshold particle size basis wherein the threshold particle size is determined by i) providing a representative sample of said lateritic ore containing said limonite and saprolite fractions, each having a characteristic compositional range of at least one indicator element, ii) subjecting said sample to a particle size classification procedure in which the sample is separated into a number of particle size fractions; iii) analysing a selected number of the particle size fractions to determine the amount of said at least one indicator element in each fraction analysed; and iv) determining said threshold particle size based on the analysis of the particle size fractions by determining a particle size where substantially all of the particles having the characteristic compositional range of the at least one indicator element for limonite are smaller than the determined threshold particle size, and/or substantially all of the particles having the compositional range of the at least one indicator element for saprolite are larger than the determined threshold particle size.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt

Abstract

A method for leaching a material containing one or more target metals using an acidic leaching solution to extract said one or more target metals, said method including (I) empirically determining an optimal acid concentration range for said acidic leaching solution by: (a) determining the relationship between the concentration of extracted target metal/s and acid consumption in said leaching solution, (b) utilizing said relationship to evaluate value parameters for the target metal containing material as a function of said acid consumption, and (c) determining said optimal acid concentration range, which is the pH range corresponding to an optimal value parameter; and (II) controlling the concentration of said acidic leaching solution such that its pH is substantially within the optimal acid concentration range throughout said material.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/06 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic acid solutions

Abstract

A process for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from a nickeliferous oxidic ore by heap leaching and/or atmospheric agitation leaching, the process including the steps of: mixing a sulfur containing reductant selected from reductants that do not include copper into a nickeliferous oxidic ore; leaching the reductant/ore mixture with an acidic leach reagent to produce a pregnant leach solution including nickel, cobalt, iron substantially in a ferrous form and other acid soluble impurities; and recovering the nickel and cobalt from the pregnant leach solution.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/10 - Hydrochloric acid
• C22B 3/08 - Sulfuric acid
• C22B 3/06 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic acid solutions
• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt

Abstract

A process for the recovery of a metal sulfide from a metal ion containing solution, including the steps of: a) providing a slurry containing seed particles of said metal sulfide; b) adding a sulfide ion containing solution to said slurry to form an activated seed slurry; c) mixing said activated seed slurry with said metal ion containing solution to thereby form a metal sulfide precipitate; and d) recovering said metal sulfide precipitate.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/00 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
• C01G 53/11 - Sulfides
• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt
• C01G 3/12 - Sulfides
• C22B 3/44 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by chemical processes

Abstract

A process for the treatment of a solution containing at least ferric ions, and one or more metal values, said process including the step of maintaining a controlled concentration of ferric ions in solution for a sufficient residence time to control iron hydroxide or oxide crystal growth, and precipitating the iron as a relatively crystalline iron hydroxide or oxide while minimising the loss of the ore or more metal values with the iron hydroxide or oxide.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/00 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
• C22B 15/00 - Obtaining copper
• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt
• B01D 9/02 - Crystallisation from solutions
• C22B 19/00 - Obtaining zinc or zinc oxide

Abstract

A heap leach process for the recovery of nickel and/or cobalt from a laterite ore, said process including the steps of : a) providing one or more heaps of a nickeliferous laterite ore; b) leaching the ore in a heap leach step by applying acid to one or more heaps to provide a pregnant leach solution; c) neutralising the pregnant leach solution with ground saprolite ore; and d) recovering the nickel and/or cobalt from the neutralised pregnant leach solution.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/06 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic acid solutions
• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt

Abstract

A process for the recovery of nickel and/or cobalt from a nickel and/or cobalt containing solution comprising: (i) contacting the nickel and/or cobalt containing solution with metallic particles of at least one metal that is more electronegative than nickel and/or cobalt thereby enabling a cementation process to occur between the nickel and/or cobalt in the solution and the metallic particles to produce a nickel and/or cobalt cementate; and (ii) separating the nickel and/or cobalt cementate from the metallic particles thereby producing a slurry including nickel and/or cobalt cementate.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt

Abstract

Organic compounds that are associated with production of nickel sulphide concentrates are a major cause of the generation of odours in flotation processing plants and in stock-piled concentrates. The present invention discloses a process for producing a mineral concentrate product that at is at least a substantially odour-free product from a mined material that comprises floating selected mineral particles from a slurry of the mined material and forming a wet concentrate in the form of a froth product slurry, which includes a collector in the form of an organic xanthate compound for adsorbing selected mineral particles and promoting the flotation of the mineral particles, and treating the froth product slurry with heat and the addition of one or more chemicals selected from the group consisting of nitrate, molybdate, activated carbon and mixtures thereof, to prevent residual organic xanthate compounds or mineral concentrates from being converted to odorous compounds.

IPC Classes  ?

• B03D 1/08 - Subsequent treatment of concentrated product
• B03D 1/10 - Removing adhering liquid from separated materials
• B03D 1/12 - Agent recovery

Abstract

A process for producing a mineral concentrate product that at is at least a substantially odour-free product comprises any one or more than one of (a) organics removal by (i) treatment of a froth product slurry containing floated mineral particles to remove organic compounds from the mineral particles and/or (ii) thermal treatment, and (b) addition of chemicals to prevent residual organic compounds on mineral concentrates being converted to odorous compounds, particularly while the concentrates are being stock-piled or transported.

IPC Classes  ?

• B03D 1/08 - Subsequent treatment of concentrated product
• B03D 1/10 - Removing adhering liquid from separated materials
• B03D 1/12 - Agent recovery

Abstract

A process for the recovery of nickel and/or cobalt from a sulfate solution that also contains iron wherein a substantial proportion of the iron present is in the ferrous state, said process including the steps of: a) oxidising the majority of the ferrous ions in the sulfate solution to ferric ions to precipitate iron as a ferric hydroxide, ferrihydrite, goethite or para-goethite; b) separating the precipitated iron from the solution; and c) recovering the nickel and/or cobalt from the resultant solution.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/08 - Sulfuric acid
• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt

Abstract

An atmospheric leaching process for the recovery of a nickel and cobalt from a lateritic ore, said process including the steps: (a) preparing a slurry of the lateritic ore with saline or hypersaline water having a total dissolved solids (TDS) content greater than 30 g/L; (b) leaching the slurry of the lateritic ore with sulfuric acid at atmospheric pressure, (c) recovering nickel and cobalt from the resultant leachate.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/08 - Sulfuric acid
• C22B 3/00 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of separating nickel bearing sulphides from mined ores or concentrates of mined ores that contain talc particles is disclosed. The method comprises adjusting the Eh of a slurry of mined ores or concentrates of mined ores and making particles of nickel bearing sulphides less hydrophobic than talc particles and floating the nickel bearing sulphide particles from the slurry.

IPC Classes  ?

• B03D 1/02 - Froth-flotation processes

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of separating nickel bearing sulphides from mined ores or concentrates of mined ores that contain talc particles is disclosed. The method comprises adjusting the Eh of a slurry of mined ores or concentrates of mined ores and making particles of nickel bearing sulphides less hydrophobic than talc particles and floating the nickel bearing sulphide particles from the slurry.

IPC Classes  ?

• B03D 1/02 - Froth-flotation processes

Abstract

A method of separating nickel bearing sulphides from mined ores or concentrates of mined ores that contain talc is disclosed. The method comprising treating a slurry of mined ores or concentrates of mined ores in at least one flotation stage with an initial grinding step, separating the slurry on the basis of particle size into a coarse particles stream and a fines particles stream and processing the coarse particles stream in a coarse particles flotation stage, and the fines particles stream in a fines particles flotation stage. The method further comprising a series of regrinding steps of particles in the respective process streams whereby particles in the slurry in the coarse particles stream and the fines particles stream are subjected to more than one grinding operation, wherein at least one regrinding step involves regrinding part of a concentrate from the coarse particles flotation stage and the fines particles flotation stage.

IPC Classes  ?

• B03D 1/02 - Froth-flotation processes

Abstract

A method of separating nickel bearing sulphides from mined ores or concentrates of mined ores that contain talc is disclosed. The method comprises treating a slurry of mined ores or concentrates of mined ores in at least one flotation stage and in at least one cleaner circuit. The method further comprises sequenced re-grinding, as described herein, of particles in the slurry.

IPC Classes  ?

• B03D 1/02 - Froth-flotation processes

Abstract

A heap leach process for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from a lateritic ore, said process including the steps of leaching and/or agglomerating the ore with a lixiviant that includes ferrous ions, wherein the lixiviant is able to liberate cobalt from the cobalt containing minerals within the ore in preference to nickel, to produce a cobalt rich pregnant leach solution relatively free of nickel.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt
• C22B 3/00 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
• C22B 3/04 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching

Abstract

A process for heap leaching a laterite or said process including the steps of: a) providing a primary and a secondary heap, said primary heap comprising predominantly a nickel and cobalt containing sulfide or saprolitic type ore, and said secondary heap comprising predominantly a nickel and cobalt limonitic type ore; b) leaching the primary heap with a sulfuric acid solution to generate a solution that includes ferrous ions; and c) using said solution that includes the ferrous ion as the lixiviant to leach the secondary heap, to produce a pregnant leach solution that includes nickel, cobalt and manganese ions.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/04 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching
• C22B 3/08 - Sulfuric acid
• C22B 1/14 - Agglomerating; Briquetting; Binding; Granulating
• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt

Abstract

A process for the recovery of sulfuric acid from a metal sulfate in solution, including the steps of : a) providing a source of metal sulfate in solution; b) converting the metal sulfate in solution into a crystallised metal sulfate salt; c) calcining the crystallised metal sulfate salt to produce the corresponding metal oxide and sulfur dioxide gas; and d) generating sulfuric acid.

IPC Classes  ?

• C01B 17/74 - Preparation
• C01G 51/04 - Oxides; Hydroxides
• C01B 17/69 - Sulfur trioxide; Sulfuric acid
• C01G 53/04 - Oxides; Hydroxides

Abstract

A process for producing a stable metal sulfate product including the steps of : a) providing a source of metal sulfate crystals; b) adding a sub-stoichiometric amount of a stabilising compound to the metal sulfate crystals to form a paste or slurry like intermediate product; and c) allowing the paste or slurry like product to solidify.

IPC Classes  ?

• C01F 5/40 - Magnesium sulfates
• C22B 3/20 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching
• C22B 3/44 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by chemical processes
• C22B 26/22 - Obtaining magnesium

Abstract

A process for the recovery of nickel and/or cobalt from a lateritic ore by heap leaching, the process including the steps of : a) forming one or more heaps from a lateritic ore body wherein that lateritic ore body includes a blend of both limonitic and saprolitic type ores; b) leaching the one or more heaps with a leach solution; and c) recovering the nickel and/or cobalt from the resultant heap leachate.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/00 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
• C22B 3/08 - Sulfuric acid
• C22B 3/06 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic acid solutions
• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt

Abstract

An atmospheric leach process in the recovery of nickel and cobalt from lateritic ores, said process including the steps of : a) providing limonitic and saprolitic ore fractions of a laterite ore; b) separately slurrying the limonitic and saprolitic ore fractions to produce a limonitic ore slurry and a saprolitic ore slurry; c) separating any limonitic type minerals from the saprolitic ore slurry to produce a saprolitic feed slurry; d) milling or wet grinding the saprolitic feed slurry; e) leaching the limonitic ore slurry with concentrated sulfuric acid in a primary leach step; f) introducing the saprolitic feed slurry to the leach process in a secondary leach step by combining the saprolitic feed slurry with the leached limonite slurry following substantial completion of the primary leach step, releasing sulfuric acid to assist in leaching the saprolite feed slurry, wherein the saprolitic feed slurry is substantially free of all limonitic type minerals before it is introduced to the leach process.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/00 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
• C22B 3/08 - Sulfuric acid
• C22B 3/06 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic acid solutions
• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt

Abstract

A process for leaching nickel and/or cobalt containing laterite or partially oxidised laterite ore including the steps of : a) providing a laterite or partially oxidised laterite ore; b) leaching the ore in a leach step with an acid in the presence of a reducing agent, to produce a leach discharge containing nickel and/or cobalt values; c) recovering the nickel and/or cobalt from the leach discharge leaving a nickel and/or cobalt barren discharge liquor; and d) treating the discharge liquor to recover at least a portion of any sulfur present as sulfur dioxide and/or sulfuric acid; wherein the reducing agent is present in a sufficient amount to lower or maintain the Eh of the leach step such that the majority of the iron (III) present in the leach process is converted to the iron (II) state.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/04 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching
• C22B 3/08 - Sulfuric acid
• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt
• C22B 3/06 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching in inorganic acid solutions
• C22B 3/20 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching

Abstract

A process for the recovery of nickel and/or cobalt from laterite or partially oxidised lateritic ores having a substantial proportion of the iron present in the ferrous state, said process including the steps of : a) providing a laterite or partially oxidised laterite ore wherein a substantial proportion of the iron present in the ore is in the ferrous state; b) acid leaching the ore to provide a product leach solution containing at least ferrous iron, nickel and cobalt together with acid soluble impurities; and c) recovering the nickel and cobalt from the product leach solution with a selective ion exchange resin in an ion exchange process leaving the ferrous iron and other acid soluble impurities in the raffinate.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/00 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
• C22B 3/08 - Sulfuric acid
• C22B 3/42 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by ion-exchange extraction
• C22B 23/02 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt by dry processes

Abstract

A process for producing a metallic nickel product with a low iron content, including the steps of: (i) providing an acidic product liquor containing at least nickel and iron; (ii) subjecting said acidic product liquor to an ion exchange process wherein an ion exchange resin selectively absorbs said nickel and part of the iron from said product liquor; (iii) eluting the nickel and iron from said resin with an acidic solution to produce an eluate containing said nickel and iron. (iv) neutralising said eluate to a pH value in the range from 2.5 to 3.5 to cause precipitation of a substantial amount of said iron, leaving an iron depleted eluate; (v) neutralising the iron depleted eluate to a pH value in the range from 7 to 8 to cause precipitation of nickel hydroxide containing low iron; (vi) calcining said nickel hydroxide to convert it to nickel oxide; (vii) subjecting said nickel oxide to direct smelting in the presence of a reductant to produced a molten nickel phase; and (viii) refining said molten nickel phase by oxidation to produce a metallic nickel product with low iron content.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/24 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by physical processes, e.g. by filtration, by magnetic means by adsorption on solid substances, e.g. by extraction with solid resins
• C22B 23/00 - Obtaining nickel or cobalt
• C22B 3/42 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by ion-exchange extraction
• C22B 23/06 - Refining

Abstract

A process of recovering magnesium oxide from a source of magnesium sulfate, said process including the steps of: (a) providing a source of magnesium sulfate in solution that is derived from part of a process that is associated with the leaching of a metal containing ore or concentrate; (b) converting the magnesium sulfate in solution to solid magnesium sulfate; (c) contacting the solid magnesium sulfate with elemental sulfur in a reducing atmosphere; and (d) recovering the magnesium as magnesium oxide, and the sulfur as sulfur dioxide gas.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/00 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
• C22B 3/44 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by chemical processes
• C22B 3/08 - Sulfuric acid
• C22B 26/22 - Obtaining magnesium

Abstract

A process for recovering solid magnesium sulfate hydrate from a source of magnesium sulfate in solution said process including the steps of: (a) providing a source of magnesium sulfate in solution that is derived from part of a process associated with the leaching of a metal containing ore or concentrate; (b) adding sulfuric acid to the magnesium sulfate solution to salt out the magnesium sulfate as magnesium sulfate hydrate crystals in a salting process, and partially diluting the sulfuric acid; (c) recycling the diluted sulfuric acid for use in the process of leaching the metal containing ore or concentrate; and (d) recovering the solid magnesium sulfate crystals.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 3/00 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
• C22B 3/44 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by chemical processes
• C22B 3/08 - Sulfuric acid
• C22B 26/22 - Obtaining magnesium