Recovery of nickel from reverberatory furnace slag by sulfurization and flotation

Willie Nheta, Michel Kalenga, Ndivhuwo Rasivhetshele

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Due to depletion of high-grade ores, high cost of mining and environmental issues, many mines have reverted to retreatment of slags. The recovery of Nickel from reverberatory furnace slag using sulfurization and flotation was studied. Critical parameters such as sulfurization temperature, sulfurization agent (Gypsum containing 86.87% CaSO4) dosage and time were investigated for the sulfurization process and effect of collector type and dosage, pH, particle size and flotation time for the flotation process. It was found that the slag contained 0.37% Cu and 0.19 % Ni as Copper oxide and Nickel oxide and other mineral phases such as fayalite, cuprospinnel and pentlandite. Optimum conditions for sulfurization were addition 20g of gypsum, 8g of Coke at a temperature of 950 ℃ under inert environment (argon) in a tube furnace for one hour. All of the Nickel oxide was sulfurized to Nickel sulfide and Millerite. 88.3 % Nickel was recovered after flotation under optimum conditions of 0.20g/t Potassium amyl xanthate (PAX), 5 drops of Dowfroth 200, 80% passing 75 microns at a pH of 7 in a micro flotation cell. The recovery of Nickel sulphide was very much dependent on collector dosage.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEducation and Accreditation in Geosciences; Environmental Legislation, Multilateral Relations and Funding Opportunities
PublisherInternational Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference
Pages979-985
Number of pages7
Edition1.3
ISBN (Electronic)9786197408768
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Event19th International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference, SGEM 2019 - Albena, Bulgaria
Duration: 30 Jun 20196 Jul 2019

Publication series

NameInternational Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference Surveying Geology and Mining Ecology Management, SGEM
Number1.3
Volume19
ISSN (Print)1314-2704

Conference

Conference19th International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference, SGEM 2019
Country/TerritoryBulgaria
CityAlbena
Period30/06/196/07/19

Keywords

  • Flotation
  • Nickel
  • Slag retreatment
  • Sulfurization
  • Xanthate

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Geology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Recovery of nickel from reverberatory furnace slag by sulfurization and flotation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this