GB2291869A - Recovering nickel from sulphide ore - Google Patents

Recovering nickel from sulphide ore Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2291869A
GB2291869A GB9514968A GB9514968A GB2291869A GB 2291869 A GB2291869 A GB 2291869A GB 9514968 A GB9514968 A GB 9514968A GB 9514968 A GB9514968 A GB 9514968A GB 2291869 A GB2291869 A GB 2291869A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
solution
ore
nickel
phase
biological
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Granted
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GB9514968A
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GB2291869B (en
GB9514968D0 (en
Inventor
Trevor Tunley
Robert Huberts
Robert Gideon Fowles
Michael William Bell
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GENCOR Ltd
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GENCOR Ltd
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Publication of GB2291869A publication Critical patent/GB2291869A/en
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    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22BPRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B23/00Obtaining nickel or cobalt
    • C22B23/04Obtaining nickel or cobalt by wet processes
    • C22B23/0407Leaching processes
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22BPRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B23/00Obtaining nickel or cobalt
    • C22B23/04Obtaining nickel or cobalt by wet processes
    • C22B23/0453Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22BPRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B3/00Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
    • C22B3/18Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes with the aid of microorganisms or enzymes, e.g. bacteria or algae
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02PCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P10/00Technologies related to metal processing
    • Y02P10/20Recycling

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)

Abstract

Nickel is recovered from a sulphide ore by heap leaching the ore by subjecting the ore to biological oxidation, separating nickel from iron, into an eluate solution, by solvent extraction or the use of an ion exchange reagent, and electrowinning ferronickel from the eluate solution. <IMAGE>

Description

THE RECOVERY OF NICKEL USING HEAP LEACHING This invention relates to the recovery of nickel from sulphide ores.
Nickel metal has been recovered from nickel sulphide bearing ore bodies by conventional procedures wherein the ore Is ground fine and the nickel sulphide minerals are concentrated by froth flotation to produce a nickel sulphide concentrate. The nickel sulphide minerals may be present as pentlandite, pyrrhotite, millerite or other sulphide minerals.
The concentrate Is treated further by smelting and reduction to produce a nickel bearing matte which contains nickel, cobalt, copper and Iron.
Various techniques are known for refining the matte to produce pure metal. These include leaching, pressure leaching, hydrogen reductlon, electrowinning, the Carbonyl process, and so on. In general the refining processes are expensive and produce nickel metal to varying degrees of purity, roughly dependent on the cost of the process employed.
Nickel metal has many applications but its use in stainless steel is becoming more dominant. For stainless steel, nickel metal does not need to be as pure as for other applications and It can be used as ferronickel.
Ferronickel is produced from ores of nickel other than sulphide ores. If however It is possible to produce ferronickel from sulphide ores then, when nickel for stainless steel Is not required In a pure state, It Is possible to avoid refining to produce pure nickel.
The invention is concerned with a process to produce impure nickel In the form of ferronickel from sulphide ores.
The invention provides a method of producing nickel from a sulphide ore wherein the ore is subjected to heap leaching, a solution of nickel sulphate and iron sulphate, produced by the leachIng, Is treated with a solvent extraction or ion exchange reagent which Is selective for nickel over ferrous Iron whereby the nickel Is separated from the iron and transferred in a concentrated form into an eluate solution, and the eluate solution is subjected to an electrowinning process to produce ferronickel.
The leaching process may include a first phase of treating the ore with a solution of ferric sulphate, carrying biological strains which promote biological.
The biological oxidation process may be carried out using Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.
Preferably a mixture of one or more of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, Thiobacillus thiooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans is used in the oxidation step.
The Thiobacillus ferrooxidans preferably mainly consists of the strain TF FC-1, which Is described In the specification of Australian patent No.618177, and which has been deposited at the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories, under Accession No. N 90/010723.
The solution which promotes bacterial activity may be adjusted In concentration, pH or nutrients.
Finally the ore is washed and the solution separated from the ore heap.
The first leaching phase may be continued for a period of from 2 to 10 days.
The second phase may continue for a period of from 100 to 300 days, typically about 200 days.
In the second phase the biological solution may have a pH from 1,8 to 3,5 typically about 3,0.
The sulphide ore is preferab:y crushed to below 6mm.
The Invention further extends to a method of producing nickel from a sulphide ore which includes the steps of heap leaching the ore In a first phase by treating the ore with a ferric sulphate and biological solution which promotes oxidation, heap leaching the ore In a second phase by treating the ore with a biological solution at a pH in the range of from 1,8 to 3,5, separating nickel from a solution produced by the second phase, into an eluate solution, and subjecting the eluate solution to an electrowinning process to recover nickel.
The biological solution, In each phase, preferably Includes the strain TF-FC-1.
The invention Is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which Illustrates in block form a flow diagram of the process of the Invention.
The accompanying drawing Illustrates the process of the Invention applied to the production of ferronickel from low grade nickel sulphide minerals.
The process includes the following main process steps: a series of heap leaching phases 10A and 10B, an ion exchange step 12 and an electrowinning stage 14.
The sulphide ore 16, which Is to be treated, contains a high proportion of the mineral pyrrhotite. It has been found that pyrrhotite reacts with ferric sulphate In solution and ferric sulphate is reduced to ferrous sulphate: Fe7S8 + 7Fez (SO4)3 21 FeSO4 + 8S It is convenient to carry out the heap leach process In two phases 10A and 10B respectively. In the first phase 10A, a ferric sulphate solution Is passed through the heap of ore to reduce pyrrhotite. This phase is usually completed in a period of from two to ten days. This phase is Important because pyrrhotite interferes with bacterial oxidation. Ferric sulphate solution Is continuously generated in an agitated tank where bacterial oxidation coverts ferrous to ferric sulphate.Solution from the heap carrying ferrous sulphate is recycled to the tank 20.
The activity of the ferric oxidation tank is promoted by allowing Iron to precipitate as Jarosite. Bacterial population Is promoted by attachment to the solid. The solid precipitate is removed from solution In a settler before it is pumped to the heap. The solid is returned to the agitated tank.
The bacterial strain is TF-FC-1, as hereinbefore described.
In the second phase of heap leaching (lOB), the ore Is treated with a solution from a large storage pond 24. The second phase can have a duration of from 100 to 300 days, and normally about 200 days, but the time period depends on the size of the ore according to the degree of crushing. The ore is conveniently crushed to below 6mm, but the size varies according to the ore type.
There is good reason to allow the pH of the solution In the second phase to be about 3,0, but it could be in the range 1,8 to 3,5. The ore usually contains acid consuming constituents because magnesium Is invariably present. The high pH reduces acid consumption to a very low level. The acid consumption can be zero If enough acid Is generated by oxidation of sulphur in the ore. Remarkably, bacterial activity Is good at high pH, although the iron content of the solution is negligible. Bacterial activity In the second phase Is mainly in the heap of ore. The bacterial strain is again TF-FC-l. These bacteria are similar to those used on refractory gold ores where Iron, nickel and sulphur dissolve to form nickel sulphate and iron sulphate In solution.
A portion of solution 22 is drawn from the storage pond 24 and is directed to the ion exchange step 12. Nickel is adsorbed from solution by an ion exchange resin which is selective for nickel. There are several ion exchange resins which can be used for this process which are marketed under the general grouping of chelating resins. These resins are selective for nickel relative to ferrous iron but not ferric iron. There is very little iron in solution. Any iron present will be ferrous Iron. The problem associated with ferric sulphate is thus largely eliminated and the chelating resins are effective in separating the nickel from the Iron in solution and allowing the nickel to be transferred in a concentrated form into an eluate solution 30.
The solution 30 is subjected to a known electrowinning process 14 to produce an alloy 32 of nickel and Iron. The solution, marked 34, remaining after electrowinning still contains nickel and is reused to elute further nickel from the ion exchange resin.

Claims (18)

1. A method of producing nickel from a sulphide ore wherein the ore Is subjected to heap leaching, a solution, produced by the leaching, Is treated with a solvent extraction or ion exchange reagent which is selective for nickel over ferrous iron whereby the nickel is separated from the iron and transferred in a concentrated form Into an eluate solution, and the eluate solution is subjected to an electrowinning process to produce ferronickel.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the leaching process includes a first phase of treating the ore with a solution of ferric sulphate carrying biological strains which promote biological oxidation.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein a mixture of one or more of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, Thiobacillus thiooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans is used in the oxidation step.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the Thiobacillus ferrooxidans includes the strain TF-FC-1.
5. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the first phase is continued for a period of from 2 to 10 days.
6. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the leaching process Includes a second phase of subjecting the ore to a biological solution which promotes bacterial activity.
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the second phase continues for a period of from 100 to 300 days.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the second phase continues for a period of approximately 200 days.
9. A method according to claim 6, 7 or 8 wherein the biological solution has a pH in the range of from 1,8 to 3,5.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the biological solution has a pH in the range of about 3,0.
11. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 10 wherein the biological solution is a mixture of one or more of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, Thiobacillus thiooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans.
12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the Thiobacillus ferrooxidans includes the strain TF-FC-1.
13. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the sulphate ore Is crushed to below 6mm.
14. A method of producing nickel from a sulphide ore which Includes the step of heap leaching the ore in a first phase by treating the ore with a ferric sulphate and biological solution which promotes oxidation, heap leaching the ore In a second phase by treating the ore with a biological solution at a pH in the range of from 1,8 to 3,5, separating nickel from a solution, produced by the second phase, into an eluate solution, and subjecting the eluate solution to an electrowinning process to recover nickel.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the nickel is separated from the solution using a solvent extraction or Ion exchange reagent.
16. A method according to claim 14 or 15 wherein the biological solution, in each phase, includes the strain TF-FC-1.
17. A method of producing nickel from a sulphide ore by heap leaching the ore by subjecting the ore to biological oxidation, separating nickel from iron, into an eluate solution, by solvent extraction or the use of an ion exchange reagent, and electrowinning ferronickel from the eluate solution.
18. A method of producing nickel from a sulphide ore substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying flow diagram.
GB9514968A 1994-08-01 1995-07-21 The recovery of nickel using heap leaching Expired - Fee Related GB2291869B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA945687 1994-08-01

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GB9514968D0 GB9514968D0 (en) 1995-09-20
GB2291869A true GB2291869A (en) 1996-02-07
GB2291869B GB2291869B (en) 1998-05-27

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AU (1) AU689599B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2155050C (en)
FI (1) FI110190B (en)
GB (1) GB2291869B (en)
ZA (1) ZA956205B (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0948655A1 (en) * 1995-07-17 1999-10-13 Bhp Minerals International Inc. Recovery of nickel from bioleach solution
US7597738B2 (en) * 2004-09-17 2009-10-06 Bhp Billiton Ssm Technology Pty Ltd. Production of ferro-nickel or nickel matte by a combined hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical process

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6379919B1 (en) 1999-05-28 2002-04-30 Oxidor Corporation Inc Method for isolating thiocyanate resistant bacteria
US6498031B1 (en) 1999-05-28 2002-12-24 Oxidor Corporation, Inc. Column reactor for testing and evaluating refractory ores
AUPQ265199A0 (en) 1999-09-03 1999-09-30 Pacific Ore Technology Limited Improved bacterial oxidation of sulphide ores and concentrates
AU770734B2 (en) * 1999-09-22 2004-03-04 Billiton S.A. Limited Copper and nickel recovery
US7455715B2 (en) 2001-07-13 2008-11-25 Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. Heap bioleaching process for the extraction of zinc
CA2353002C (en) 2001-07-13 2009-12-01 Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. Heap bioleaching process for the extraction of zinc
EP3034635B1 (en) 2014-12-15 2018-10-31 Middle East Mine and Industry Company Tank bioleaching of copper sulfide ores

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5397380A (en) * 1991-06-19 1995-03-14 Boliden Mineral Ab Method for processing complex metal sulphide materials

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5397380A (en) * 1991-06-19 1995-03-14 Boliden Mineral Ab Method for processing complex metal sulphide materials

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0948655A1 (en) * 1995-07-17 1999-10-13 Bhp Minerals International Inc. Recovery of nickel from bioleach solution
EP0948655A4 (en) * 1995-07-17 2000-03-01 Bhp Minerals Int Inc Recovery of nickel from bioleach solution
US7597738B2 (en) * 2004-09-17 2009-10-06 Bhp Billiton Ssm Technology Pty Ltd. Production of ferro-nickel or nickel matte by a combined hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical process

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Publication number Publication date
FI110190B (en) 2002-12-13
CA2155050A1 (en) 1996-02-02
GB2291869B (en) 1998-05-27
ZA956205B (en) 1996-03-13
FI953488A (en) 1996-02-02
CA2155050C (en) 2002-10-01
AU2726395A (en) 1996-02-15
AU689599B2 (en) 1998-04-02
GB9514968D0 (en) 1995-09-20
FI953488A0 (en) 1995-07-19

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20010721