Extraction of nickel and cobalt from the nickeliferous oxide ores of India

Abstract

On account of its excellent corrosion resistance properties, the use of nickel is increasing day by day. The production and demand also increasing due to advan-cement in space and nuclear technology. The important nickel bearing ores are classified as sulphides, des and silicates. The oxide ores, commonly called laterites form the major part of the world's nickel resources, usually containing on average 1.5% nickel. These ores are how- ever not ammenable to mineral beneflciation methods of concentration. In India, lateritie nickel ore deposits have been located in the Sukinda region of Orissa. The reserve is estimated at 65 million tonnes Man average of 0.85% nickel and 0.06% cobalt. Various processes are available for extraction of nickel and associated cobalt from these ores ; several of these have been tried at ML and RRL Bhubaneswar and are discus-sed in this paper.