SETTLING SEPARATION METHOD FOR NEUTRALIZED SLURRY AND WET SMELTING METHOD FOR NICKEL OXIDE ORE

摘要

One of the purposes of the present invention is to provide a settling separation method for a neutralized slurry, said settling separation method being capable of: efficiently neutralizing a leachate obtained by leaching nickel and cobalt from a nickel oxide ore; and effectively separating and removing, while minimizing filtration failure, a neutralization sediment formed by the sedimentation of impurities. The other of the purposes thereof is to provide a wet smelting method for a nickel oxide ore, said wet smelting method employing the settling separation method. This settling separation method comprises: subjecting a leachate obtained by leaching nickel and cobalt from a nickel oxide ore to neutralization with magnesium oxide; adding a cationic flocculant to the obtained neutralized slurry; and separating and removing a neutralization sediment thus formed.