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Extraction of Nickel from Magnesia–Nickel Silicate Ore

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Abstract

In this study, magnesia–nickel silicate ore was investigated, which contained 0.83% Ni and antigorite, chlorite, magnetite (Fe3O4), quartz, and mica as the main minerals. Chloride roasting and magnetic separation were used to treat the ore. The addition of red mud enhanced the transformation of nickel silicate to a strongly magnetic mineral mainly comprising metallic Ni and that of hematite to Fe3O4 and metallic Fe. Test results showed that a Ni concentrate with a Ni content of 11.41% and Ni recovery of 92.77% was achieved under the following optimal conditions: roasting temperature: 1373.15 K; roasting time: 120 min; CaCl2 dosage: 20%; coke dosage: 14%; red mud dosage: 30%; magnetic field intensity = 0.14 T; and grinding fineness: 90% < 0.05 mm. The major minerals in the Ni concentrate were Fe3O4, metallic Fe, and metallic Ni. Sc entered the magnetic separation tailings, creating a favorable condition for the further extraction of Sc by hydrometallurgy. The thermodynamic calculation results are in good agreement with the test results.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the Research Fund Program of Innovation Center of Rare Earth Resources Development and Utilization, China Geological Survey (Grant No. 2021XTZX01), the Sichuan Science and Technology Program (Grant Nos. 2021YJ0057, 2021YFG0268, 2019FS0451, and 2019FS0452), Key Laboratory of Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radioactive and Rare Resource Utilization (Grant No. 2018B030322009), and the Research Fund Program of Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Comprehensive Utilization of Vanadium and Titanium Resources Foundation (Grant No. 2018FTSZ35).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sichuan Provincial Engineering Lab of NonMetallic Mineral Powder Modification and High-Value Utilization, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China

    Junhui Xiao, Kai Zou, Tao Chen, Hong Li & Zhen Wang

  2. Innovation Center of Rare Earth Resources Development and Utilization, China Geological Survey, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Junhui Xiao & Wenliang Xiong

  3. Dongfang Boiler Group Co., Ltd., Zigong, 643001, China

    Junhui Xiao

  4. Institute of Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Junhui Xiao & Wenliang Xiong

  5. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radioactive and Rare Resource Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Mineral Resources Application, Shaoguan, 512026, China

    Junhui Xiao

  6. Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China

    Junhui Xiao, Kai Zou, Tao Chen, Hong Li & Zhen Wang

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  1. Junhui Xiao
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Correspondence to Junhui Xiao.

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Xiao, J., Xiong, W., Zou, K. et al. Extraction of Nickel from Magnesia–Nickel Silicate Ore. J. Sustain. Metall. 7, 642–652 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40831-021-00364-0

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