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Patent number: 8038767Abstract: An improved method for processing of nickel bearing saprolite and limonite ores to recover the valuable minerals contained therein, comprising leaching the ore with nitric acid to form a slurry; separating the iron values by precipitation, removing the iron values; forming a liquid/solid residue in which nickel, cobalt and magnesium are in solution, and manganese and aluminum are solid residues in oxide form; conducting a liquid-solid separation and removing the solids; and recovering the nickel, cobalt, and manganese from the liquid-metal concentrate. The leachate is recovered and nitric acid from the leachate is recycled.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Drinkard Metalox, Inc.Inventors: William F. Drinkard, Jr., Hans J. Woerner