Method for extracting metals from saprolite laterite nickel ore

Abstract

A method for extracting metals from saprolite laterite nickel ore includes: separating and grinding the saprolite laterite nickel ore to obtain a laterite nickel ore powder; mixing the laterite nickel ore powder, water, an acid, and a reducing agent to perform atmospheric pressure acid leaching to obtain a leaching residue and a leaching solution; adding a soluble fluoride salt and sodium salt to the leaching solution to obtain a silicon-aluminum residue and a de-silicon-aluminumed liquid; adding a phosphorus source to the de-silicon-aluminumed liquid, and performing solid-liquid separation to obtain an iron phosphate and a de-ironed liquid; subjecting the de-ironed liquid to a one-step cyclone electrolysis to obtain a zinc-chromium alloy and a one-step cyclone electrolyzed liquid; subjecting the one-step cyclone electrolyzed liquid to a two-step cyclone electrolysis to obtain a nickel-cobalt alloy, a manganese oxide, and a two-step cyclone electrolyzed liquid; and adding sodium carbonate to the two-step cyclone electrolyzed liquid for a precipitation reaction to obtain magnesium carbonate and a de-magnesiumed liquid. The disclosure achieves the short-flow separation and extraction of different valuable metal elements such as zinc, chromium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese in the saprolite laterite nickel ore, which is an economic, efficient, green, and environment-friendly extraction process.