JSC Kola MMC, Monchegorsk, Russia

D. V. Stepanov, Head of the Scientific Research Laboratory, e-mail: StepanovDV@kolagmk.ru
I. P. Ermakov, Head of the Pyrometallurgy Laboratory of the Scientific Research Laboratory, e-mail: ErmakovIP@kolagmk.ru
N. V. Eroshenko, Chief Specialist of the Pyrometallurgy Laboratory of the Scientific Research Laboratory, e-mail: EroshenkoNV@kolagmk.ru

The technology of obtaining metals from various raw materials is associated with significant energy costs, auxiliary materials and other non-productive resources. With the development of technologies for obtaining metals from ores and the development of more efficient technological schemes, producer competition is increasing, as a result of which scientists and engineers need to modernize production to meet modern realities and build new, less expensive technological chains. At the same time, modern non-ferrous metallurgy is faced with the need for complex and resource-efficient processing of a wide variety of raw materials, including intermediates and man-made waste. One of the key tasks is to reduce the loss of valuable components in all technological transformations and minimize the environmental load by creating low-waste and closed technological cycles. Efficient use of resources is becoming increasingly important in the metallurgical industry, especially in the extraction and recycling of valuable materials. The process of nickel production in JSC Kola MMC begins with the processing of copper-nickel matte of the Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant (NMP) of the Polar branch of PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel with the release of copper and nickel concentrates. The copper concentrate is shipped to a third-party consumer, and the nickel concentrate is sent to oxidative roasting in fluidized bed furnaces, followed by reduction roasting in tubular furnaces to produce nickel powder. Nickel powder is subjected to chlorine leaching. As a result of the dissolution of the nickel powder, a nickel solution and an insoluble residue are formed. The resulting solution is purified from copper, iron, zinc, and cobalt and sent for electroextraction to obtain commercial nickel. The insoluble residue is subjected to flotation separation to obtain a froth product rich in precious metals and a relatively poor cell product. Further processing of the cell product of the chlorine leaching residue flotation necessitates the use of a sulfidizing agent to obtain an alloy suitable for further involvement in the processing. The technology is described, as well as the results of laboratory studies and pilot tests of the use of roasting residue of the synthesis byproduct as a sulfidizing agent in the production of a granulated alloy.

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