PROCESS FOR LEACHING LATERITIC ORE AT ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE

摘要

An atmospheric leaching process in the recovery of nickel and cabalt from a lateritic ore, said lateritic ore including a low magnesium ore fraction and a high magnesium ore fraction, said process including the steps of: (a) forming an aqueous pulp of said lateritic ore, (b) leaching said aqueous pulp with a concentrated mineral acid at atmospheric pressure to produce a slurry containing a pregnant leach liquor and a leach residue, (c) treating the pregnant leach liquor either separately or as part of said slurry to recover dissolved nickel and cobalt therefrom, leaving a magnesium containing barren solution, (d) treating said magnesium containing solution to recover a magnesium containing salt therefrom.