Mekhanobr Engineering (Russia):

Asonchik K. M., Leading Researcher, Ph. D. in Technical Sciences, office@mekhanobr.spb.ru

The results of the metallurgical plant nickel-containing slag mineral and chemical composition studies are presented. Feed product nickel grade was 2.9 %. Mineral composition was represented mainly by fayalite — iron and magnesium silicate, as well as pyrrhotine, magnetic iron oxide, nickel and iron sulfide. Microprobe analysis revealed infrequent inclusions of metallic phase (2–10 microns), high in nickel-iron alloy, containing cobalt and copper admixtures. Experiments were carried out on magnetic separator 237 PM with magneticfield intensity of 1500 oersted. However, magnetic separation did not provide for noticeable concentration of nickel in magnetic fraction. Flotation application with butyl xanthate and frother in alkali medium permitted to produce nickel concentrate with nickel grade up to 8 %. The experiments, performed on the basis of continuous process with ore grinding and rougher concentrate re-grinding, flotation and two rougher concentrate cleanings under the optimum reagent regime conditions, provided for nickel concentrate production, nickel grade being 13–18 %, nickel recovery being 53–59 %. The produced nickel concentrate chemical composition is presented. It is noted, that practicability of introduction of metallurgical nickel-containing slag processing may be determined after additional investigations, including nickel concentrate batch production, melting operation testing at the metallurgical plant and economic assessment of marketable product production.