Method of liberating nickel- and cobalt-enriched fines from laterite
US4541994A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 1983 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 22, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/20
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
According to the present invention, Ni- and Co-rich, low Mg fines may be advantageously separated from the coarse fractions of lateritic ores by atmospheric or low pressure leaching. In particular, the process of the present invention comprises contacting a lateritic ore or ore fraction at temperatures from about 20.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. and pressures from about atmospheric to about 200 psig with an aqueous acid solution to form a leach liquor, a leach residue and a fines fraction. The fines fraction which can be separated from the residue with the leach liquor by conventional means such as cycloning is found to be richer in Ni and Co and lower than the remainder of the residue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.