Gipronickel Institute Ltd

S. M. Kozyrev, Head of Research and Development Department, e-mail: smk@nikel.spb.su
O. A. Kravtsova, Deputy Head of Laboratory
V. I. Maksimov, Head of Laboratory
E. V. Koroleva, Senior Researcher
Yu. M. Motorin, Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Raw Material Geological and Technological Studies

Material composition study has allowed identifying the said mineralisation’ typical features to be taken into account during metallurgical testing and creation of the optimum process flow-sheet. Flotation process flow-sheet has been developed considering all the peculiarities of the ore feed’ material composition. The developed flow-sheet makes it possible to produce collective copper-nickel concentrate containing up to 9% Ni and 2–3% Cu. Recovery rates are as follows: 50–80% nickel; 20–80% copper; 40–90% noble metals. To decrease losses to fine sulphide inclusions in magnetite, it has been recommended to introduce flotation tails’ magnetic separation into the process flow-sheet. Pilot tests based on the representative ore sample with 0.45% Ni and 0.157% Cu grade have been performed according to the developed flow-sheet. The concentrate produced contained, %: 8.18 Ni; 1.45 Cu; 0.243 Co; 3.05 Pt; 2.01 Pd; 1.66 Au; 13.88 Ag. At that, the said metals’ recovery rates made, %: 61.6, 31.20, 53.70, 65.6, 48.1, 48.9 and 54.4, respectively. In the course of the pilot tests, flotation/magnetic separation flow-sheet was tested making it possible to increase nickel recovery rate by 0.95%, while that of copper and cobalt by 0.48% and 1.01%, respectively. At the Gipronickel Institute’ laboratory facilities studies in processing of the produced concentrate using pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods have been performed.

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