Patent ID: 7314139
Filing Date: 2008-01-01
Classification: B03B,B03D,C22B

Abstract:
1. A method of processing a mineral stream containing valuable nickel sulphide and a solid contaminant in the form of magnesia (MgO) that includes the steps of: (a) separating a feed stream in a first stage on a screen into a coarse stream of particles greater than 110 microns and a fines stream of particles less than 110 microns; (b) separating the fines stream in a cyclone in a second stage and producing an ultra fines/slimes stream of P80 less than 25 microns and a middlings stream of P80 greater than 25 microns; (c) subjecting the middlings stream to flotation and recovering nickel sulphide which is sent to final concentrate and rejecting or depressing MgO in a tails stream; and (d) treating the rejected/depressed MgO-containing tail stream by gravity separation and concentrating the MgO.