Patent ID: 8287827
Filing Date: 2012-10-16
Classification: C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. Process for the hydrometallurgical treatment of a lateritic nickel/cobalt ore consisting of a mixture of limonite and saprolite, consisting of the steps wherein: the limonite and saprolite mixture is made into a pulp in the presence of an iron-precipitating agent so as to form an initial pulp having a solids content of between 10 and 40% by weight; the initial limonite and saprolite pulp, including the mixture of limonite and saprolite, undergoes a leaching process with sulphuric acid at a temperature between 70° C. and the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure to obtain a subsequent pulp from the leaching process; and a solid-liquid separation process is carried out on said subsequent pulp from the leaching process so as to obtain an iron-containing solid residue, which is mainly in jarosite form, and a solution containing nickel and cobalt ions.