METHOD FOR RECOVERING NICKEL FROM HIGH MAGNESIUM-CONTAINING NI-FE-MG LATERITIC ORE

摘要

A method is provided for recovering nickel from high magnesium-containing lateritic ores which also contain iron. The ores which are referred to as saprolitic ores are subjected to leaching (2) with a mineral acid from the group consisting of HC1, H2SO4 and HNO3, HC1 being preferred. Following leaching with HC1, for example, the pregnant solution obtained is separated from undissolved solids and the nickel preferably recovered by contacting the solution with a resin (4) selective to nickel absorption. The raffinate remaining which contains iron and magnesium chlorides may be subjected to pyrohydrolysis (10A) to produce their respective oxides and free HC1 for recycle into the leaching system. The nickel is extracted from the resin using a stripping solution of the acid, and the nickel thereafter extracted from the nickel-loaded stripping solution.