Institute of Metallurgy of Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russia:

E. N. Selivanov, Director of Institute, e-mail: pcmlab@mail.ru
S. V. Sergeeva, Junior Researcher
R. I. Gulyaeva, Senior Researcher

Terms of the oxidized nickel ores bedding at the Kulikovskaya group of deposits (Chelyabinsk region) predetermine their open pit output. Information on substantial composition, properties and modes of metals’ presence in oxidized nickel ores are important for treatment modes and processing technologies selection. Compositions and elements allocation in the primary mineral components of the oxidized nickel ores from the Kulikovskoe deposit were determined using radiography, optical microscopy and X-ray spectrum microanalysis. Content of nickel in serpentine, talc, chlorite was determined. Thermal analysis was used to determine the sequence of transformations during ore heating in inert and reducing media. Analysis of resulting gases was also made. There were proved temperature modes of ore roasting as well as nickel and iron reduction from their minerals. It was concluded that if the ores considered are processed by the most common way, including roasting and recovery electrosmelting, the first of the processes should be carried out under the temperatures above 650–700 ^оС, which allow to completely separate hydrate and carbonate compounds and to prepare the material for further electrothermal smelting.
This work was implemented under the financial support of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (project No. 15-11-3-31).

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