Polar Division of MMC “Norilsk Nikel”, Norilsk, Russia:

L. S. Lesnikova, Head of Laboratory (Center of Engineering Maintenance of Production), e-mail: lesnikovals@nk.nornik.ru
D. V. Kotenev, Head of Talnakh Concentration Plant
M. S. Datsiev, Deputy Head of Talnakh Concentration Plant

Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia:
V. I. Bragin, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Head of Mineral Processing Chair

Since the very beginning of Talnakh and Oktyabrsky deposits development Talnakh Concentrator had been processing only massive Cu–Ni ore type via direct selective flotation with step-by-step copper, nickel and pyrrhotite concentrates extraction. In 2001 the flowsheet was drastically changed into a new more efficient selective/bulk/selective one resulted in higher nickel recovery into finished nickel concentrate by 3% abs. additionally without deterioration of its quality. Further study involved search for ways to completely transfer sulphur and iron within pyrrhotite sulfides into waste low-nickel product as well as well as to reduce pyrrhotite recovery into nickel concentrate preventing its contamination. As a result the developed engineering solutions comprise material flows redistribution between selective and bulk flotation, mechanochemical activation for hard-floatable part of nickel-pyrrhotite concentrate. By means of this technology, finished concentrate of high grade with the same recovery level was produced at Talnakh Concentrator. The developed technology permits to produce nickel concentrate of standard quality for base selective/bulk/selective process and to rise extraction of targeted metal to concentrates by 3%. Improved selective/bulk/selective process provides flexible control of nickel concentrate quality and allows to adjust pyrrhotite removal to pyrrhotite concentrate and final tailings and to sustain valuable components losses. The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the produced nickel concentrate are regulated by two factors: current nickel price and environmental regulations.

1. Khramtsova I. N., Yatsenko A. A., Baskaev P. M. et al. Rekonstruktsiya Talnakhskoy obogatitelnoy fabriki s vnedreniem novykh effektivnykh tekhnologiy (Reconstruction of Talnakh Concentration Plant with introduction of new efficient technologies). Tsvetnye Metally = Non-ferrous metals. 2001. No. 6. pp. 39–40.
2. Khramtsova I. N., Lesnikova L. S., Gogotina V. V, Baskaev P. M., Volyanskiy I. V. Izyskaniya putey povysheniya kontrastnosti flotatsionnykh svoystv mineralov pentlandita i pirrotina v protsesse ikh razdeleniya (Searching of ways of increasing of contrast range of flotation properties of pentlandite and pyrrhotine minerals during their separation process). Tsvetnye Metally = Non-ferrous metals. 2005. No. 12. pp. 18–20.
3. Chanturiya V. A., Vigdergauz V. E. Elektrokhimiya sulfidov (Electrochemistry of sulfides). Moscow : “Ore and Metals” Publishing House, 2008. 272 p.