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    US20100065478 Trips

    Uploaded by

    Aileen Insalada

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    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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    ‘US 20100065478A1 iON (10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0065478 Al us United States c2) Patent Application Publica Nakamura et al. (43) Pub. Date Mar. 18, 2010 (64). METHOD FOR NICKEL CONCENTRATION (52). US.CL 2098. PROCESSING OF SAPROLITE ORE “7 fee (75) Inventors: cht Nakamura, Tokyo OP); ‘Tre method fornickel concentration processing, which slow Tun-tehi Takahashi, Niihamasti' Os, simple and convenient, as well as having low emviron- o ‘mental load, which s capable of enhancing nickel content of 4 saprolite ore with low nickel content, which wes not on- Ventionally used effectively axa raw material of feronickel smelting due to having low nickel content, 10 a level to be Utlized economically as a raw material of frroniekel smelt Correspondence Address EDWARDS ANGELL P P.O. BOX 35574 MER & DODGE LLP BOSTON, MA 02208 (US) ea The method is characterized by including the steps of the (13) Assignse: SUMITOMO METAL MINING following (1) 10 4). (1) a saprolite ore is subjected to crushing processing 10 ‘adjust the ore particle size oa size passing a sive With in mesh opening of $0 mm, €O.,LID., Tokyo (IP) (21) Appl.Nos —12/473,441 @)acrushed or is subjected to dy type grinding process- ing ofthe surtive layer part by ation. (22) Filed May 28, 2009 @)4 ground oe is subjected to dey-ype classification processing at a classification point wo be selected from reign Application Priority Data 0.5 v2.0:mm, sod then an ore portion having a particle Co) Deaton sizeof equal tor smaller than the classification points Sep. 18,2008 GP) 2008-75800 recovered asa nickel concentrate (4) an ore portion having a particle size over the classifi- ‘ation point is subjected to dry-iype gravity separation Processing, and then an ore portion, having @ specific (51) Ine ‘gzvity of equal to or smaller than 2.0, is recovered as a Bore 502 (2005.01) hickol concentra Publication Classification green) | =e ere Patent Application Publication Mar. 18, 2010 Sheet 1 of 5 US 2010/0065478 AI Figure 1 Saprolite ore with low nickel content 15, Saprolite ore rt 2. Crushing J [3 Sieving (50 mm) 4.?lus sieve 5. Minus sieve ¥ 6. Dry-type grinding 7. Sieving (2 mm) sieve Minus sieve Dey-type 1 0. specific gravity separation | Low specific gravity portion| 12 High specific ‘gravity portion 14 1 v 13. Waste ore 16. Shipping 1a oncentrate Patent Application Publication Mar. 18, 2010 Sheet 2 of 5 US 2010/0065478 AI Figure 2 (a) 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% S+1.7 mm 0 +1.0 mm +05 mm 0-05 mm Cum Weight % 22 24 20 19 18 17 16 18 Cum Ni Assay % 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% fa+t.7 mm 0+1.0mm 2 +0.5 mm [a- 0.5 mm. Cum Ni Dist% Patent Application Publication Mar. 18, 2010 Sheet 3 of 5 US 2010/0065478 AI Figure 2 (b) 120% 100% 15 +50 mm 80% 0 #25 mm x 2+9.5mm = 60% B47 mm @ © +1.0mm = 40% +05 mm 20% -0.5 mm 0% ist 2nd 3rd 20 a +50 mm # == 425 mm z 18 249.5 mm 3 me H1.7 mm 2 14 o-+1.0 mm 12 7 240.5 mm =a - 0.5 mm 1.0 08 ist 2nd ard 120% 3 100% 13 +50 mm 2 80% +25 mm g 249.5 mm 2 60% BH7 mm SB 40% © +4.0 mm = 240.5 mm = 20% 0.5 mm 0% 1st and 3rd Patent Application Publication Mar. 18, 2010 Sheet 4 of 5 US 2010/0065478 AI Figure 3 1, Saprolite ore with low nickel content 15. 17, crushing, drying, dry-type grinding Sieving (50 | 4.Plus sieve 5. Minus sieve TS, Sieving (3mm) | — Simcpessti., 1.6, Shipping Patent Application Publication Mar. 18, 2010 Sheet 5 of 5 US 2010/0065478 AI Figure 4 100% 20% 60% 20% Nickel recovery rate 7% 200 210 220 230 2.40 250 260 Nickel content in nickel concentrate /% US 2010/0065478 AI METHOD FOR NICKEL CONCENTRATION PROCESSING OF SAPROLITE ORE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1, Field ofthe Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method for nickel ‘concentration processing ofa saproliteore formore detail, t0 4 method for nickel concentration processing from a low tide saprolite ore which isnot used for feronickel smelting process, with low cost, simple and convenient, a6 well as having low environmental load. By using this method, resotreeamotnt ofa nickel ore, now approaching to near ‘depleted state, can be increased, transportation cost and ‘smelting cost can be reduced, and still more prevention of ‘eaviroamental problems ean be attained [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art 0003} In general, a raw material ore for nickel smelting is Jargely classified to a sullide ore and an oxide ore such as 8 laterite ore. And in addition, the laterite ore is classified to & saprolite ore andl limonite ore. The saprolite ore has a rela- tively high nickel content of equal to or higher than 29% by mass, containing magnesia, silica, iron and the like as main ‘composition components, and composed of ores such as 3 \ater-containing slice bittern oe, zoethite, The mente ore present atthe upper part therso, ving a low nickel content ‘of about 1.5% by mass, and composed of goethite asa 10005] The ahove saprolite ore has been used from old Times, asa praetical raw material ore to prsduceferronicke!, however, the saprolite with high nickel content has bees depleted, and nickel content of a raw material or tobe ut lized in ferrnickel smelting bas been decreased, whieh has raised large problem in view of economical production 10006] That is in ferronickel smelting, usualy, a saprolite ‘ore containing 2 large quantity of moisture is subjected t0 roasting ata high temperature oF upto about 900°C, i onder tw deerease an attached moisture content and a erysal mois- ‘ure content toa predetermined level, andl then the resulting caleinated ore is subjected to reductive dissolution ina melt Jing furnace such as an electri furnace ata temperature of bout 1500° C, so as to paodice feronickel with predeter- mined nickel content satisfying @ product standard. Thene- fore, decrease in nickel content ofa raw material ore not only ‘increases consumption amount of energy such as electricity, heavy oil, and increases smelting cost extremely, but aso ‘could decrease the resulting nickel content of feronickel produced inthe electric furnace, 10 a level below the product andard required on the market, although it depends on @ ‘containing state of iron present together. Therefor, it also ‘contains an environmental problem 10007] Furthermore, special steel based mainly on tanless steel occupies a large portion of nicks! consumption, there oreitisimportant to secure amount of ferronickel, and stable supply ofa saprolite ore with high nickel content now deplel- Jing at present canbe sad an urgent problem. Incidentally, a wwet-type smelting method such as a sulfuric acid leaching method ofa laterite ore, which has been progressing recently, js generally suitable to a limonite ore with low magnesium ‘content, however, onthe contrary its not necessarily’ sutable to a saprolite ore with high magnesium conten, in view of high acid consumption ete. In addition, a siprolite ore ‘imported fom a mine is usually in a state of having a high ‘moisture content of equal to orhigher than 30% by mass, and Mar. 18, 2010 also alow nickel content of 2t0 2.6%by mass, therefore cost fof mw meral ore inchiding transportation cost was increased 10 a very high level [008] ‘Terefore, therehasboen required conventionally enhance nickeleontent oFsuch laterite ore, ad for example, tals have been made to attain the inerease in content by application ofa benefication method such as tation, mag- elie separation (for example, reler to NonPatent Literstore 1,2). However, these methods have maay problems in view of | ioronce in result by each ofa target ore, or processing cost, And thus practical application has not yet been achieved. [0009] Underthesecircumstances, there has been disclosed 4 method for classification performing of a rae material Suprolite ore, and sill more specific gravity separation by each of the classified portions (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1.2, 3, 4). However, these methods are wel-type methods, and provide ores with very poor precipitation prop erty and dehydration property, therefore require a large quan- tity of thickener and a delydation machine as a facility therefor, and not only inereases cost extremely but also requires many Iabor in environmental preservation such as exhuust water processing, management of a tiling dam. Therefore, a method for concentration of slime using an ‘organic flocculant has also been proposed (refer to Patent Literature 5), however, it requires a large quantity of the ‘Mooeulant and thus las wot Ted to cost reduction, Sill more, since high water content ofa raw material sequal tor higher than 30% by mass in oer to reduce transportation cost and smeliing cost, drying of an ore at a mine site was tried, however, it has found to create @ new problem af nickel amount loss and deterioration of workability, caused by si {ering in handling such as loading and unloading or the Tike bcatse the ore has very strong powder dst property in the ‘ease of low water contest, and hs practical application is a dificult state [010] Under sucha state, thas been requiteda method for nickel concentration processing, which is low cost, simple And convenient, as well as having low environmental load, ‘which is thus capable of enhancing nickel content ofa sapro” Tite ore with low nickel content 10 level to be utilized economically a a raw material of ferronickel smelting. [W011] Patent Literature I: U.S. Pat. No. 6.053.327 [W012] Patent Literature 2: JP=A-52-023504 (paue 1) [013] Patent Literature 3: JP-B-03-004610 (page 1) [Word] Patent Literature 4 JP-A-11-117030 (page 1, poge2) [Wo1s] Patent Literature 5: JP-A-11-124640 (page 1, owe 2) [0016] Non-Patent Literature 1: “Lecture summary of ‘research result presentation by The Mining Institute of| Japan, 1987, pages 365 w 366 10017] _Noa-Patent Literature 2: “CIM Bull”, (Canada), vol 98, No. 1038, 2000, pages 37 to 43, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0018] In view of the above conventional technological problems, iis an abject ofthe present invention w provide a method for nickel concentration processing, whieh is low cost, simple and convenient, as well as having low environ- ‘meatal load, which is capable of enhancing nickel content of 4 saprolite ore with low nickel content, which was not con- ‘Ventionally used effectively as a raw material of ferronickel US 2010/0065478 AI toa level tobe feronickel sel smelting, due to having low nickel cont utilized economically as a raw material ing. 10019] The present inventors have intensively studied a method for nickel concentration processing ofa saprolite ore, ‘oattain theabove object and found that nickel content can be ‘enhanced to a level to be utilized economically as a raw material of feronickel smelting, by a low cos, simple and ‘convenient method, as well as having low environmental Toad, by subjecting a saprolite ore having low nickel contest. The process consists ofa erisher, dryer, adry-type attrition processing, and dry.1ype classification processing and dry- {ype specie gravity separation processing. Upgraded orecan be obtained by recovering each of the obtained ore portion, having a panicle size of equal to or smaller than specific ‘lasification point, and ore portion, having a specific wravity ‘of equal o of smaller than specific value. And still more, ‘instead ofthe above specific erusher, dryer and ation pro- ‘cessing. a siring-type dryer or a dry-ype Alogencows mill, ‘can be applied far carrying out enushiny process drying pro ‘cess and atrition process a the same lime, [0020] That is, according to a first aspect of the present vention, there is provided a method for nickel eo processing ofa saprolite or, characterized by ine eps ofthe flowing (1) (4) [0021] (1a saprolite are is subjected t crushing process- ing to adjust the ore particle size to size passing a sieve with an mesh opening of $0 mm, 10022] _2)acrushedore obtained inthe step ofthe above (1) fs subjected to dry-type atti processing ofthe surface layer part by tition, [0023] (3) ground ore obtain in the step ofthe abowe (2) is subjected to dry-type classification processing a a class sification point to be selected from 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and thea an ore portion having panicle sizeof equal o or smaller than sid classification point is recovered as nickel con- cxntrate. 10024} (4) an ore portion having a particle size over the classitieation point, obtained in the step ofthe above (3), subjected to dry-type specific pravity separation process ‘ng, and then an ore portion having a specifi gravity of equal to or smaller than 20, is recovered as a nickel con- 10025] In addition, aeconding to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the method for nickel ‘concentration processing ofa saprolite ore inthe first aspect, ‘charicterized in that a erushed ore is subjected to 8 drying processing prior to the dey-type attrition processing, in the step ofthe above (2). 10026] _Inadkdition, aecordingto a thirdaspect ofthe present ‘vention, theres provided the method for nickel eoncentra- tion processing ofa saprolite ore in the fist or the second aspect, characterized by further including the step of the following (3). 10027] (5) anore portion having a panicle sizeof equal o oF smaller than the classification point, obtained inthe step of the above (3), and an ore partion having a specific gravity ‘of equal to or smaller than 2.0, obtained in the above (4)-are mixed to a saprolite oe fora raw ms errnickel smelting having a free water, 10028] In addition, acconling to a fourth aspect of the present invention, thee is provided the method for nickel ‘concentration processing ofa saprolite ore inthe frst aspect, Mar. 18, 2010 characterized by including the step of the following (1) instead ofthe steps of the above (1) and (2. [0029] (1°) a saprolite or is subjected to crushing, drying and dey-type attrition processing by using a stting-type ddiyer to perform crushing processing. dying processig and dry 1ypeatriton processing atthe same time, to adjust, the ore particle size ta a size passing a sieve with an mesh ‘opening of 50 mm [0030] Inaddition, according vo ith aspect of te present invention, there is provided the method for nickel concenta- ‘ion processing of a saprolite ore in the fourth aspect, char acterized by including the steps of the following (2) to) subsequent tthe step ofthe above (1") [031] (2) ground ofe obtained in the step of the above (1) is subjected to dry-type elasifcation processing at 3 classification point to be selected from 210 5 rum, [0032] 3?) an ore portion having a panicle size of equal to ‘or smaller than ssid classification point, obtained in the step of the above [0033] (2, is subjected to dry-type classification process- ‘ng ata elassifcaton point to be selected from 0.01 to 2.0 ‘nm, and then an ore potion having particle sizeof equal to or smaller than said classification pong, s recovered as, ‘nickel concentrate. [0034] (4° an ore portion, having a particle size over the classification point, obtained in thestep ofthexbove 2), 5 subjected to dey-type spevilie gravity separation process ‘ng, nd then an ore portion, Having a spoctie gravity of ‘equal to or smaller than 20 i rocovered asa nickel con- [0035] Inaction, seconting wash aspect the present vention, there is provided the method for nickel concentr- tion processing ofa saprolite ore inthe fifth aspect, ckarae- terized by further hing the step of the following (8) [0036] (51 an ore portion, having a particle size of equal to ‘or smaller than the classification point, obtained inthe ep of the above (3), and an ore portion, having a specific ravi of equal 6 or smaller than 20, obtained in the step of the above (4), are mixed to a saprolite one fora raw ‘material of feronickel smelting. [0037] In addition, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the method for nickel eoncentttion processing ofa saprolite ore in any one ofthe fistto the sixth aspects, characterizedin thal the above sapro- Tite ore has a niekel content of L.8 to 2.3% by mass [0038] Themethod fornickel concentration processing ofa saprolite ore according to the presen invention, is capable of enhancing nickel content ofa saprolite ore with low nickel ‘content, which was not conventionally used effectively as a aw material of feronickel smelting due to having low nickel ‘cnet, oa level to be tilized economically as a rw mate- rial of feronickel smelting, by alow cost, simple and conve- nieat method, as well as having low environmental load therefore industrial value thereof is exteemely lange, [0039] In addition, by usin this method, resource amount fof nickel oe, now approaching toa nearly depleted ‘canbe increased transportation cost and smelting cost can be ‘reduced. and still more prevention of environmental problems can be atained, [0040 "Still more, by transportation of the obtained nike! concentrate, afer mixing with a saprolite ore containing the free water and having high nickel content, which does not require the method for concentration processing of the present invention, therecan be provided an operation form for US 2010/0065478 AI suppressing the powder dust generation, which sa problem ‘ofa dey-type system, enhancing handling performance, and also attaining improvement in view of environmental hygiene. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. [0041] FIG. 1 isa draving showing one example (te fst embodiment) ofa low of tie method fornickel concentration processing ofa saprolite ore, ofthe present invention, [0042] FIG. 2is.a drawing showing a concentrated state of nickel by arnding peocessing and crushing processing test. (a) shows the case ground-processed by cement mixer, and (b) shows the ease erushed by jaw crusher [0043] FIG. 3 isa drawing showing one example (he see- ‘ond embodiment) ofa low of the method for nickel concen- tration processing of a saprolite ore, of te present invention (0044) FIG. 4isa drawing showing relation between nickel ‘content and nickel recovery rate i a nickel concentrate, in Example 2. NOTATION 10045] 1 Soproite ore with low nickel eontent [0046] 2Crshing 0047] 3 Sieving (50mm) {0048} 4 Pls sieve in sieving (50 mm) 0049] 5 Minus sieve in sieving ($0 mm) [0080] 6 Dry-ype grinding 0051] 7 Sieving @ mm) {0052} 8 Pls sieve in sieving (2 mm) [0053] 9 Minus sieve in sieving (2 mm) 0054] 10 Dey-ype specific gravity spa [0088] 11 High specific ervity portion 0056] 12 Low specific gravity portion [0057] 13 Waste ore [0058] 14 Nickel concentrate portion 0059] 18 Saprofte ore {0060} 16 Shipping 0061] 17 Crushing, drying and dry-type grinding {0062} 18 Sieving mim) 0063] 19 Phas sieve in sieving (5 mm) 0064] 20 Minus sieve in sieving (5 mn) 0068] 21 Air-tiow clasifiation 0066] 22 Fine panicle portion 0067] 23 Rough particle portion DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0068] Explanation will be given below in detail on the ‘method for nickel concentration processing ofa saprolite ore ‘of the present invention, 10069] The frst embodiment of the method for nickel con- centration processing of the saprolite ore according to the present invention, is characterized by including the steps of the following (1) 10070] (1) saprolite ore is subjected 10 crushing process- ‘ng to adjust the ore particle size to a size passing a sieve ‘with an mesh opening of $0 mam, 10071] _(2)acrushedore obtained inthestep ofthe above (1) is subjected wo dey-typeatrtion processing ofthe surface layer part by atti, [0072] |) ground ore obtain in the step ofthe abowe (2) is subjected to dey-ype classification processing at a class sification point o be selected from 0.5 to 2.0mm, and then ‘an or portion having a particle sizeof equal to or smaller Mar. 18, 2010 than sid elassifieation point is subjeeted to the another dry clasificalion to recover fine particles as nickel concen trate, [0073] (4) an ore portion having a panicle size over the classification pont, obtained in the step ofthe above (3). subjected to dry-type spite gravity separation process ing, and then an ore portion having a specific gravity of ‘equal to or smaller than 20 is rocovered as 2 nickel con= [0074] Stil more, if necessary, the step of the follwing (5) may be contained 10075} (3) anoreportion having a patel sizeof equal or smaller than the elasifcaton pont, obtained in the step of | the above (), and an ore portion having a specific gravity ‘of equal to of smuler than 2.0, obiined in the step ofthe above (4), are mixed toa saprolite ore fora raw material of erroniekel smelting having a free water [0076] In the above method (the first embodiment), itis ‘important that anoreallerenishing processing obtained inthe step ofthe above (1) is subjected to dry-ype attrition process: ing ofthe surface layer pat, then itis subjected to dry-type classification processing at a predetermined classification point to recover an ore portion having a particle size of equal {oorsmaller than that classification point asa nickel concen ‘eat, and still more an ore portion having 2 particle size over the classification point is subjected to dry-type specific arav- ty separation processing ata predetermined specific gravity toreeoveran ore portion having a specific gravity of equal 10 ‘orsmaller than that speifle gravity, as a nickel concentrate, [0077] First, explanation will he given on action effect of | dyy-type specific gravity separation processing. That is, investigation results on present states of nickel in various saprolite ores are shown in Table I. Table I shows investiga- ‘ion results of nickel concentration tates (eight distribution rite, increased content (variation difference of nickel content (@é by mass), and nickel distibuton rte) by each portion of patticle size and specific privity, by measurement of particle Sze (Sieve: 150,100, 75,50, 25,9.5,1.7,1.0and0.5 mm) nd specific gravity (beavy liquid: 26, 3.4, 22 ae 2.0), by sam- pling 33 saprolite ore samples in total, having low nickel ‘content oF equal to oF lower than 2.0%, from nickel ors ia ‘operation I should be noted that specific gravity separation \Was eared out by using a solution of sedium polytangste- ate, a a heavy liquid, and separation after standing stil for 30 minutes. Table | shows results of weighted average on products obtained by the tests TABLE L Parse Seis anvin see we om sept US 2010/0065478 AI ‘TABLE t-continved Parse Sossie amie —____ (amy 226 2426 20032 £20 spac © Nike dsviion me 60) Sp ons so) on 83 “os 020 #32 M03 sft was 033 oe = ons 463 10078] From Table 1 itis found that nickel is concentrated jn(1) rough particles with ow specific gravity thats, having ‘particle size width of 25 to 75 mm, anda specific gravity of ‘equal to orsmaller than 2.0, and (2) fine particles with middle specific pravity, thats, hvinga particle size width of equal t0 fo smaller than 1.7 mm, and a specific gravity of 2.0 to 2.4, That is, nickel content of «high specific gravity par of equal to or larger than 24 is low, and by removal ofthis part, ore ‘content can be ineressed In particular itis found that nickel js concentrated, in the rough particle portion, ina range hav- ing smaller specific gravity, while inthe fine particle portion, Jina specific grvity range of 2.0 10 2.2. Thats, it wos showa that hy separation and removal of the ore portion having rough particle size and high specifi prvity rang, ore con- tent of an ore can be increased 10079] Next, explanation will be given on aetion effet af “dry-type grinding processing ofa surface layer part, by atei- tion, That sit is considered that, in a saprolite ore, a nickel ‘ore isabsorbed at goethiteorthe like mainly ina disseminated Sate, and is concentrated at the surface layer of the ore cobiained by erushing 10 a predetermined size. Therefore, “dry-type grinding processing by atrition for peeling off the ‘ore surface layer afer erushing is considered effective as 2 ‘concentration method. FIG, 2 compares whether there is dif Terence in nickel concentration between the ease (b) of no mal cushing and theease (a) grinding processing. Here, in theabove case (a), an ore ofthe Moneo mine was ershed with athandheld bammer, and then sieved with 29.5 mm sieve w ‘determine weight dstibution rte nickel content, and nickel

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