Leaching behavior of metals from limonitic laterite ore by high pressure acid leaching

The leaching behavior of metals from a nickeliferous limonitic laterite ore was investigated by high pressure acid leaching process for the extraction of nickel and cobalt. The effects of sulfuric acid added, leaching temperature, leaching time and liquid/solid (L/S) ratio on metals extraction were examined. More than 97% Ni, 96% Co, 93% Mn, 95% Mg and less than 1% Fe are extracted under optimum conditions. Analysis of the high pressure acid leaching residue by chemical and XRD analysis indicates that the residual iron and sulfur are mainly present in phases of hematite and alunite, respectively. The high pressure leaching process provides a simple and efficient way for the high recovery of nickel and cobalt from laterite ore, leaving residue as a suitable iron resource.