RE:RE:Here is an interesting thesisOn second thought, if you are going to comission a PhD Thesis, why stop at Class 1 nickel. Why not keep your options open and see if you can't make the jump directly to Nickel Sulfate?
1.) Grind to 150 micron;
2.) Rougher LIMS;
3.) Regrind magnetic fraction to 45 micron;
4.) 3 stages of cleaner LIMS;
5.) Direct flotation of awaruite leaving a high grade magnetite tail with a few % chromite, as byproduct;
6.) Atmospheric acid leaching of awaruite;
7.) Precipitate iron;
8.) Cook up nickel sulfate with some process like this:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/nickel-sulfate
AlternativeView wrote: I should have added that, if replicated with Baptiste ore, the "very selective awaruite float" achieved by RNC at Dumont will likely produce a concentrate approaching pure awaruite. Might have a bit of gangue left but very little magnetite.
Assuming a head grade of .15% awaruite at a mining rate of 150 KTPD, they would only have to leach about 225 TPD of very finely ground material. A very small leach operation, indeed.