Patent ID: 7871584
Filing Date: 2011-01-18
Classification: C22B

Abstract:
1. A process for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from nickel and cobalt containing ores, said process including the steps of: (a) providing (b) leaching the laterite ore and/or partially oxidised sulfide ore with an acid solution in a primary leach step, to produce a pregnant leach solution containing dissolved nickel, cobalt and ferric ions; (c) leaching the sulfide ore or concentrate with the pregnant leach solution in a secondary leach step to produce a product liquor containing dissolved nickel and cobalt ions; and (d) recovering the nickel and cobalt from the product liquor; wherein the ferric ion content in the pregnant leach solution maintains the oxidation and reduction potential in the secondary leach step such that the ferric ions act as a lixiviant and/or an oxidant during leaching of the sulfide ore or concentrate.