EXTRACTION METHOD OF NICKEL AND COBALT FROM SILICATE NICKEL-COBALT ORES Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC E21B43/28 C22B23/00 

FIELD: metallurgy.

SUBSTANCE: method involves construction of leakproof bottom, formation of ore pile on it, erection of sprinkling and drainage system, and in case of underground leaching - construction of pumping-in and pumping-out openings in ore deposit place; sprinkling of ore pile or supply to pumping-in openings of leaching reagent containing acid solution or acid solution in presence of reducing agent, so that production solutions containing nickel, cobalt, iron, aluminium and magnesium are obtained; their processing with extraction of nickel and cobalt; reinforcement of mother solutions with leaching reagent and their return for leaching. As leaching reagent there used are products of incomplete sulphur oxidation, which are supplied in the quantity sufficient for transition and maintenance of nickel and cobalt in the solution, as well as conversion of Fe³⁺ ions to Fe²⁺ in production solution, the pH value of which is maintained at the interval of values of 1.5-4.5, oxidation-reduction potential value is not more than 350 mV; at that, extraction of nickel and cobalt is performed using sorption, extraction and deposition methods with further reclamation of waste ore pile and reusable solutions or underground water involved in recycling.

EFFECT: increasing complete combustion of powder charges and efficiency of action of charges; increasing efficiency of extraction of nickel and cobalt; reducing consumption of acid and simplifying the flow diagram.

18 cl, 4 tbl, 4 ex