Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Hydrometallurgical Nickel Laterite Processing: A Review of Current SX Flowsheets and Industry Trends

  • Chapter
Ni-Co 2013

Abstract

The state of the art of nickel and cobalt solvent extraction in the nickel laterite industry is assessed, covering the reagents in commercial use (organophosphorus reagents, carboxylic acids, chelating oximes and amines), research developments and chemical fundamentals that result in the different approach taken with each of the reagent types.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Mudd, G.M.; (2010) “Global trends and environmental issues in nickel mining: Sulfides versus laterites” Ore Geology Reviews 38: 9–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Willis, Boyd. (2007) “Downstream Processing Options for Nickel Laterite Heap Leach Liquors” ALTA 2007 Nickel/Cobalt 12, ALTA Metallurgical Services, Perth, Australia, 25 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Steemson, M.L.; and Smith, M.E. (2009) “The development of nickel laterite heap leach projects” ALTA 2009 Nickel/Cobalt 14, ALTA Metallurgical Services, Perth, 21 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Crundwell, F.K.; Moats, M.S.; Ramachandran, V.; Robinson, T.G.; and Davenport, W.G. (2011) Extractive Metallurgy of Nickel, Cobalt and Platinum-Group Metals, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 610 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Florence, T. M.; and Farrar, Yvonne J. (1968) “Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Nickel with Long-Chain Amines from Aqueous and Nonaqueous Halide Media” Analytical Chemistry 40: 1200–1206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Helm, L.; and Merbach, A.E. (1999) “Water exchange on metal ions: experiments and simulations” Coordination Chemistry Reviews 187: 151–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Tait, B.K. (1993) “Cobalt-nickel separation: the extraction of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) by Cyanex 301, Cyanex 302 and Cyanex 272” Hydrometallurgy 32: 365–372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Tanaka, M.; Nakasuka, N.; and Sasane, S. (1969) “Extraction of nickel with capric acid” Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry 31: 2591–2597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Szymanowski, J.; and Borowiak-Resterna, A. (1991) “Chemistry and Analytical Characterization of the Effect of Hydroxyoxime Structure upon Metal-Complexing and Extraction Properties” Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry 22: 519–566

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Cox, M. (2004) “Solvent extraction in hydrometallurgy” in Solvent Extraction Principles and Practice, 2nd Ed., Marcel Dekker, New York, p. 455–505

    Google Scholar 

  11. Flett, Douglas S. (2004) “Cobalt-Nickel Separation in Hydrometallurgy: a Review” Chemistry for Sustainable Development 12: 81–91

    Google Scholar 

  12. Flett, D.S. (2005) “Solvent extraction in hydrometallurgy: the role of organophosphorous extractants” Journal of Organometallic Chemistry 690: 2426–2438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Soderstrom, M.; Bourget, C.; Jakovljevic, B.; and Bednarski, T. (2010) “Development of process modeling for CYANEX® 272” ALTA 2010 Ni/Co/Cu Proceedings, ALTA Metallurgical Services, Perth, Australia, 17 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Soderstrom, M.; Bourget, C.; and Jakovljevic, B. (2011) “CYANEX™ 272 extractant process modelling update” ALTA 2011 Ni/Co/Cu Proceedings, ALTA Metallurgical Services, Perth, Australia, 8 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Pavlides, A.G. (2008) “Developments in cobalt and nickel electrowinning technology” Anglo American Mining Conference, Johannesburg, 11 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Tinkler, O.; Flett, D.; and Bourget, C. (2007) “Flowsheet considerations for copper-cobalt projects in the DRC” ALTA 2007 Nickel/Cobalt 12, ALTA Metallurgical Services, Perth, Australia, 21 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Cytec Industries, Inc., (2010) Mining Chemicals Handbook

    Google Scholar 

  18. Mihaylov, I. (2003) “Solvent Extractants for Nickel and Cobalt: New Opportunities in Aqueous Processing” JOM 55(7): 38–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Mihaylov, I.; Krause, E.; Colton, D.F.; Okita, Y.; Duterque, J.-P.; and Perraud, J.-J. (2000) “The development of a novel hydrometallurgical process for nickel and cobalt recovery from Goro latente ore”, CIM Bulletin 93: 124–130

    Google Scholar 

  20. Otero-Calvi, Alexis; Montero, Luís A.; and Stohrer, Wolf-Dieter (2008) “DFT modelling of cobalt and nickel complexes with dithiophosphinic acid”, Journal of Molecular Structure: THEOCHEM 859: 93–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Fisher, K.G. (2011) “Cobalt processing developments”, Proceedings of the 6th Southern African Base Metals Conference, 18–20 July, 2011, Phalaborwa, South Africa, p. 237–258

    Google Scholar 

  22. Fleitlikh, I. Yu.; Pashkov, G. L.; Grigorieva, N. A.; Nikiforova, L. K.; Pleshkov, M. A.; and Shneerson, Y. M. (2011) “Cobalt and Nickel Recovery from Sulfate Media Containing Calcium, Manganese, and Magnesium with a Mixture of CYANEX 301 and a Trialkylamine”, Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange 29: 782–799

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Bacon, G.; and Mihaylov, I. (2002) “Solvent extraction as an enabling technology in the nickel industry” Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 102: 435–443

    Google Scholar 

  24. Smith, R.M.; and Martell, A.E. (1974) Critical Stability Constants, Vol. 4., Plenum, New York

    Google Scholar 

  25. Fittock, John E. (2007) “Nickel and cobalt refining by QNi Pty Ltd, Yabulu, QLD” in Monograph 19 — The Sir Maurice Mawby Memorial Vol 3rd Ed, Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (Melbourne), p. 1–47

    Google Scholar 

  26. Cotton, F.A.; and Wilkinson, G. (1988) Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, 5th Ed., New York, John Wiley and Sons, 1455 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Scarrow, R. K.; and Griffiths, T. R. (1967) “The Formation of Tetrahedral Tetrachloronickelate(II) in Aqueous Solution” Chemical Communications 1967: 425

    Google Scholar 

  28. Sayar, N.A.; Sayar, A.A.; and Filiz, M. (2009) “Simulation and optimisation-oriented modelling considerations for the extraction of Ni(II) from its acidic aqueous chloride solutions into Alamine 336-m-xylene systems” Hydrometallurgy 95: 280–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Lee, Man Seung; and Nam, Sang-Ho (2009) “Chemical equilibria of Nickel Chloride in HCl Solution at 25°C” Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society 30: 2203–2207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Flett, D.S.; and Titmuss, S. (1969) “Synergistic effect of LIX 63 on the extraction of copper and cobalt by naphthenic acid” Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry 31: 2612–2613

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Cheng, Chu Yong; Barnard, Keith R.; Zhang, Wensheng; and Robinson, David J. (2011) “Synergistic solvent extraction of nickel and cobalt: a review of recent developments” Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange 29: 719–754

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. McCoy, T.; Mayhew, K.; Jones, D.; Barnard, K.R.; Zhang, W.; Cheng, C.Y.; and Robinson, D. (2011) “Separation of Co from Ni in an impure sulphate solution, part 1-extraction” Proceedings of the 19th International Solvent Extraction Conference, 3–7 October, 2011, Santiago, Chile, 8 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  33. McCoy, T.; Mayhew, K.; Jones, D.; Barnard, K.R.; Zhang, W.; Cheng, C.Y.; and Robinson, D. (2011) “Separation of Co from Ni in an impure sulphate solution, part 2-extraction” Proceedings of the 19th International Solvent Extraction Conference, 3–7 October, 2011, Santiago, Chile, 7 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Barnard, K.R.; and Turner, N.L. (2011) “The effect of temperature on hydroxyoxime stability in the LIX 63 — Versatic 10 — tributyl phosphate synergistic solvent extraction system under synthetic nickel laterite conditions” Hydrometallurgy 109: 245–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Turner, N.L.; and Barnard, K.R. (2012) “The effect of individual complexed metals on hydroxyoxime stability in the LIX 63-Versatic 10-tributyl phosphate synergistic solvent extraction system under synthetic nickel laterite extract conditions” Hydrometallurgy http://dx.doi.Org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2012.02.006

    Google Scholar 

  36. Barnard, K. R.; Turner, N.L.; and Shiers, D.W. (2010) “LIX® 63 stability in the presence of Versatic 10 under proposed commercial extract and strip conditions, part III: Effect of manganese and cobalt loading on oxime stability at 30°C” Hydrometallurgy 104: 268–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Barnard, K.R. (2008) “Isolation and characterization of the LIX®63 degradation products 5,8-diethyl-6,7-dodecanedione monooxime (keto-oxime) and 5,8-diethyl-6,7-dodecanediol (diol) and regeneration of oxime from keto-oxime” Hydrometallurgy 90: 147–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Nakon, D. (2006) “Process for preparing nickel loaded organic extractant solution” PCT Application, WO 2006/029439 A1, 32 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Willis, B.; and Gifford, M.G. (2010) “Technical report on the Agata Nickel Project scoping study” Boyd Willis Hydromet Consulting, November 19, 2010, 276 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cytec Industries Inc., 1937 West Main Street, Stamford, CT, 06902, USA

    Adam Fischmann, Shane Wiggett, Troy Bednarski, Violina Cocalia & Cyril Bourget

Authors
  1. Adam Fischmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shane Wiggett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Troy Bednarski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Violina Cocalia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Cyril Bourget
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Midrex Technologies, Pineville, North Carolina, USA

    Thomas Battle (Senior Metallurgist) (Senior Metallurgist)

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA

    Michael Moats (associate professor of Metallurgical Engineering) (associate professor of Metallurgical Engineering)

  3. R&D Metal Extraction Products Group, Cytec Industries Inc., USA

    Violina Cocalia Ph.D.

  4. group “Recycling and Extraction”, Umicore’s Central R&D department, USA

    Harald Oosterhof (Scientist) (Scientist)

  5. Memorial University, Newfoundland, Canada

    Shafiq Alam (Associate Professor, Executive Committee Member) (Associate Professor, Executive Committee Member)

  6. Hydrometallurgy Section, Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), Canada

    Shafiq Alam (Associate Professor, Executive Committee Member) (Associate Professor, Executive Committee Member)

  7. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

    Antoine Allanore (Assistant Professor of Metallurgy) (Assistant Professor of Metallurgy)

  8. Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM), South Africa

    Rodney Jones (Registered Professional Engineer, a Fellow and Vice President, a full member) (Registered Professional Engineer, a Fellow and Vice President, a full member)

  9. South African Institute of Chemical Engineers (SAIChE), South Africa

    Rodney Jones (Registered Professional Engineer, a Fellow and Vice President, a full member) (Registered Professional Engineer, a Fellow and Vice President, a full member)

  10. Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA), South Africa

    Rodney Jones (Registered Professional Engineer, a Fellow and Vice President, a full member) (Registered Professional Engineer, a Fellow and Vice President, a full member)

  11. Barrick Technology Centre, Canada

    Nathan Stubina (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee) (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee)

  12. Professional Engineers of Ontario, Canada

    Nathan Stubina (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee) (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee)

  13. CIM, Canada

    Nathan Stubina (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee) (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee)

  14. CIM’s Board of Directors, Canada

    Nathan Stubina (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee) (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee)

  15. 2009 Conference of Metallurgists (COM), Sudbury, Canada

    Nathan Stubina (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee) (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee)

  16. NAEMC (North American Extractive Metallurgy Council), Canada

    Nathan Stubina (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee) (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee)

  17. Harold A. Steane Memorial Scholarship, Canada

    Nathan Stubina (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee) (Manager, member, VP International, Chair, MetSoc Past-President, founding member, trustee)

  18. Institution of Chemical Engineers, USA

    Corby Anderson (Fellow, Harrison Western Professor) (Fellow, Harrison Western Professor)

  19. Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, USA

    Corby Anderson (Fellow, Harrison Western Professor) (Fellow, Harrison Western Professor)

  20. Kroll Institute for Extractive Metallurgy, USA

    Corby Anderson (Fellow, Harrison Western Professor) (Fellow, Harrison Western Professor)

  21. George S. Ansell Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, USA

    Corby Anderson (Fellow, Harrison Western Professor) (Fellow, Harrison Western Professor)

  22. Rio Tinto Kennecott Utah Copper, USA

    Shijie Wang (Principal Advisor) (Principal Advisor)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 TMS (The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Fischmann, A., Wiggett, S., Bednarski, T., Cocalia, V., Bourget, C. (2013). Hydrometallurgical Nickel Laterite Processing: A Review of Current SX Flowsheets and Industry Trends. In: Battle, T., et al. Ni-Co 2013. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48147-0_32

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation