| Abstract Scope |
Conventional processing of low nickel matte involves converting for iron removal, followed by grinding, flotation, and hydrometallurgical refining. During converting, cobalt is readily lost to the iron-bearing slag, while precious metals become dispersed in the alloy phase, resulting in a complex and costly process. To address these issues, a direct hydrometallurgical route based on atmospheric sulfuric acid leaching was developed to selectively treat low nickel matte, bypassing the conventional converting and flotation stages. The proposed process selectively dissolved Ni, Co, and Fe, while Cu together with Au, Ag, Pt, and Pd remained in the sulfide residue, enabling efficient phase separation without pressure leaching or external oxidants. More than 99% of Ni, Co, and Fe were extracted, whereas Cu was almost completely retained in the residue. An integrated flowsheet incorporating sulfur recovery and sulfuric acid regeneration was established, providing a simpler and more economical route for low nickel matte refining. |