RECOVERY OF NICKEL AND COPPER FROM SULPHIDE CONCENTRATES BY BIOLEACHING

摘要

A process for recovering nickel and copper from a concentrate which includesthe steps of subjecting the concentrateto a treatment phase to produce a first leach solution which containspredominantly copper and a second leach solution which containspredominantly nickel, subjecting the first leach solution to a process forcopper recovery which includes a solvent extraction step toproduce a raffinate which is high in sulphuric acid, recycling at least aportion of the raffinate to the aforementioned treatment phaseand subjecting the second leach solution to a process for nickel recovery.