Title

VIABILIZAÇÃO DO DEPÓSITO NÍQUEL DO VERMELHO UTILIZANDO ROTA HIDROMETALÚRGICA

VIABILIZAÇÃO DO DEPÓSITO NÍQUEL DO VERMELHO UTILIZANDO ROTA HIDROMETALÚRGICA

Authorship

COSTA, RENATO S.; TORRES, VANESSA M.

COSTA, RENATO S.

I am this author

TORRES, VANESSA M.

I am this author

DOI

10.5151/2594-5327-C01114

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Abstract

During the last two years, Cia. Vale do Rio Doce’s Mineral Development Center has been evaluating the application of HPAL technology to Vermelho’s Nickel Deposit. The laterite deposit is located at Carajas Mineral Province. The deposit was evaluated in the past with focus on the pyrometallurgical route. This new evaluation program included additional drilling, geological modelling and laboratory variability testwork. Preliminary and variability bench scale testwork were very successful, with high nickel and cobalt extractions and low acid consumption, in the range 250-300 kg/t. This paper outlines the findings of the geological and metallurgical investigations. A unique feature of the deposit is its location near Brazil’s major iron ore mine and copper deposits. It can take advantage of the available infrastructure, with paved roads, large capacity railroad and port complex owned by CVRD, power supply and good quality water. This fact, together with promising geological and metallurgical results, is likely result in low capital costs and good return of investment of the project, when compared to other deposits located worldwide.

During the last two years, Cia. Vale do Rio Doce’s Mineral Development Center has been evaluating the application of HPAL technology to Vermelho’s Nickel Deposit. The laterite deposit is located at Carajas Mineral Province. The deposit was evaluated in the past with focus on the pyrometallurgical route. This new evaluation program included additional drilling, geological modelling and laboratory variability testwork. Preliminary and variability bench scale testwork were very successful, with high nickel and cobalt extractions and low acid consumption, in the range 250-300 kg/t. This paper outlines the findings of the geological and metallurgical investigations. A unique feature of the deposit is its location near Brazil’s major iron ore mine and copper deposits. It can take advantage of the available infrastructure, with paved roads, large capacity railroad and port complex owned by CVRD, power supply and good quality water. This fact, together with promising geological and metallurgical results, is likely result in low capital costs and good return of investment of the project, when compared to other deposits located worldwide.

Keywords

Níquel, Lixiviação sob pressão, HPAL Process

Níquel, Lixiviação sob pressão, HPAL Process