Effect of agglomeration on nickel extraction and sulfur release from ultramafic nickel sulfide concentrates

The authors have proposed an upgrading process for ultramafic nickel concentrates which is comprised of agglomeration of iron powders and concentrates followed by a two-stage thermal treatment at temperatures lower than the typical smelting conditions. This allowed the nickel to migrate from the sulfide phase to metallic ferro-nickel particles, making solid-to-solid contact important. Agglomeration by pelletizing and briquetting has been …