Method of recovering metal values from nickel-containing ores

Patent number: 8814980

Abstract: An improved method for processing of nickel-bearing ores, particularly saprolite and limonite, 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, when present, 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: Grant

Filed: September 30, 2011

Date of Patent: August 26, 2014

Assignee: Drinkard Metalox, Inc

Inventors: William F. Drinkard, Jr., Hans J. Woerner