Nickel ore grinding process and grinding equipments

Nickel ore grinding process flow

Nickel ore grinding process and nickel ore grinding equipments for extraction and purification

Primary nickel is produced from two very different ores, lateritic and sulfidic. Most sulfide ores are processed by using pyrometallurgical techniques to produce a matte for further refining.

During nickel processing, nickel is extracted from its ores by conventional roasting and reduction processes. Nickel ore is stockpiled at the nickel plant. It is firstly fed into a SAG mill feed bin, then convoyed to SAG mill for primary grinding. The grinded materials pass to standard cone crusher and then short head cone crusher for further grinding. The crushed particles are passed to a vibrating screen for separation. Fine particles move to fine ore bin, while large particles return to cone crusher for regrinding. The fine nickel ores move from fine ore bin to rod mill and then to ball mill while adding xuanthate and lime.

The nickel grinding process yields normally a metal of greater than 75% purity, which is required for nickel liberation. The nickel ore particles which are fine enough after grinding will pass to flotation process for magnetic separation and refining.