Association of Metallurgical Engineers of Serbia AMES
Abstract
Demand for nickel is constantly growing due to the versatility of its application,
at the first place for stainless steel production. Ore reserves and possibility of nickel
production of today’s Serbia and in neighboring countries were thoroughly investigated,
and presented work is part of a wider project of sublimation of scientific and
professional experience in the field of nickel extractive metallurgy on domestic raw
materials. Presented research explores the possibility of high pressure sulfuric acid
leaching of Serbian lateritic ores from localities Rudjinci, Ba and Lipovac. All three
investigated ore deposits behaved differently both during preparation and during
hydrometallurgical treatment. As optimal method for ore preparation proved to be
crushing-milling-sieving route, but without possibility of concentrate production. Only
for Rudjinci ore deposit achieved leaching efficiency reached satisfactory level of 95%.
Within presented paper flow-sheet is proposed for processing high-magnesium laterite
ores, with iron and magnesium oxide Both could be recirculated and used again in
technological process; MgO for iron precipitation and SO2 for production of leaching
agent, sulfuric acid. Final decision on the sustainability of the process will be made
according to techno-economic and environmental evaluation. Estimated overall impact
of the project implementation on the environment is negative