3380 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
The bulk of nickel currently comes from laterite and
magmatic sulfide deposits, which face challenges includ-
ing declining reserves and environmental concerns (Mudd
2010). The awaruite mineralization in the Decar Nickel
District in British Columbia, Canada presents a potentially
game-changing opportunity. Awaruite (Ni3Fe) is an inter-
metallic compound with the potential to be easily extracted,
representing a more sustainable alternative source of nickel
(Ulrich 1890). While further research is needed to fully
assess the viability of awaruite as a nickel resource, the
development could mark a significant step towards diversi-
fying and securing a new supply of nickel in the future. The
Decar Nickel District boasts a unique type of disseminated
awaruite mineralization (Britten 2017). Unlike traditional
sources, this naturally occurring intermetallic compound is
found in serpentinized rocks and has a high density and fer-
romagnetic properties. Notably, the Baptiste deposit within
Decar, located 90 km northwest of Fort St. James, Canada,
represents an already delineated deposit estimated to hold
3,828 kt of nickel of indicated resources (Grandillo, et al.
2020).
While metallurgical studies on Baptiste deposit sam-
ples have been ongoing since the 1990s, unlocking the
economic potential of this awaruite resource has proven
elusive. Traditional processing methods have not met the
required grade and economic targets. Limited knowledge
about awaruite’s response to specific unit operations, like
flotation or leaching, further complicates the development
process. No existing mine currently extracts nickel from
awaruite, highlighting the pioneering nature of this project.
The high density and strong ferromagnetism of awa-
ruite seem promising for concentration, but the 25:1 ratio
of magnetite in the Baptiste deposit poses a significant chal-
lenge (Britten 2017). Both minerals share similar proper-
ties like high density and magnetic susceptibility, making
application of traditional magnetic and gravity separation
techniques difficult to achieve selective recovery and con-
centration. Existing approaches to reject magnetite often
come with limitations or added costs. Therefore, develop-
ing innovative separation methods tailored to exploit subtle
differences between awaruite and magnetite, such as their
specific magnetic signatures or surface chemistry, is crucial
for economic recovery. Overcoming this challenge could
not only unlock the vast potential of the Baptiste deposit
but could also pave the way for efficient processing of other
complex ores with similar mineral associations.
The aim of this work is to summarize and comple-
ment existing recovery knowledge resulting from research
performed by the authors in the last 5 years. The research
was focused on critical aspects of recovering nickel from
mineralization in the Decar Nickel District, focusing on
optimizing flotation as a selective separation method.
Unlocking the knowledge of awaruite’s response to flotation
is crucial due to its potential for efficient and cost-effective
extraction, especially considering the challenges posed by
the presence of magnetite in the deposit. Furthermore,
areas for further research are suggested based on the out-
comes of the work.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sample
This study utilized drill core samples from the Baptiste
deposit (FPX Nickel Corp., Vancouver, Canada). The sam-
ple was selected ensuring that it represented the full range
of mineralization across the proposed life of mine and char-
acterizing the mill feed. A full description of the awaruite
from Baptiste is presented in a previous study carried out
by the same authors, including awaruite physicochemical
properties, chemical composition, crystallographic struc-
ture, magnetic properties, and liberation characteristics
(Seiler, Sánchez and Bradshaw, et al. 2022). Awaruite flota-
tion experiments were performed on fresh feed but also on
magnetic products as shown in Figure 1. The characteristics
of the material used for flotation is presented in Table 1.
Detailed mineralogical information of the sample presented
also in a previous study (Seiler, Sánchez and Bradshaw, et
al. 2022).
Flotation
Flotation tests were conducted in a Denver D12 lab-scale
flotation cell operated at an impeller speed of 1200 rpm
with a constant airflow of 5 L/min at 20% feed solids.
Following grinding, suspensions were mixed for 1 min
and the pH was adjusted to the desired value (4.5) using
diluted sulfuric acid (0.5 or 1 M) prepared with distilled
water. Continuous pH monitoring and automated control
were achieved using a Hach SC200 controller and an Iwaki
Hi-Resolution pump. Acid addition was recorded by weight
difference for accurate control. Additionally, the oxidation-
reduction potential was monitored to understand the pulp’s
redox state and its potential influence on awaruite flota-
tion behavior. These specific parameters were chosen based
on preliminary studies and previous literature to optimize
awaruite recovery while addressing the challenges of selec-
tive separation from magnetite (Seiler, Sánchez and Pawlik,
et al. 2023).
Following a 10-min conditioning period at con-
stant pH, rougher flotation tests employed xanthate as
collector. After conditioning with collector for 2-min,
frother (DOWFROTH 200) was added and the pulp was
The bulk of nickel currently comes from laterite and
magmatic sulfide deposits, which face challenges includ-
ing declining reserves and environmental concerns (Mudd
2010). The awaruite mineralization in the Decar Nickel
District in British Columbia, Canada presents a potentially
game-changing opportunity. Awaruite (Ni3Fe) is an inter-
metallic compound with the potential to be easily extracted,
representing a more sustainable alternative source of nickel
(Ulrich 1890). While further research is needed to fully
assess the viability of awaruite as a nickel resource, the
development could mark a significant step towards diversi-
fying and securing a new supply of nickel in the future. The
Decar Nickel District boasts a unique type of disseminated
awaruite mineralization (Britten 2017). Unlike traditional
sources, this naturally occurring intermetallic compound is
found in serpentinized rocks and has a high density and fer-
romagnetic properties. Notably, the Baptiste deposit within
Decar, located 90 km northwest of Fort St. James, Canada,
represents an already delineated deposit estimated to hold
3,828 kt of nickel of indicated resources (Grandillo, et al.
2020).
While metallurgical studies on Baptiste deposit sam-
ples have been ongoing since the 1990s, unlocking the
economic potential of this awaruite resource has proven
elusive. Traditional processing methods have not met the
required grade and economic targets. Limited knowledge
about awaruite’s response to specific unit operations, like
flotation or leaching, further complicates the development
process. No existing mine currently extracts nickel from
awaruite, highlighting the pioneering nature of this project.
The high density and strong ferromagnetism of awa-
ruite seem promising for concentration, but the 25:1 ratio
of magnetite in the Baptiste deposit poses a significant chal-
lenge (Britten 2017). Both minerals share similar proper-
ties like high density and magnetic susceptibility, making
application of traditional magnetic and gravity separation
techniques difficult to achieve selective recovery and con-
centration. Existing approaches to reject magnetite often
come with limitations or added costs. Therefore, develop-
ing innovative separation methods tailored to exploit subtle
differences between awaruite and magnetite, such as their
specific magnetic signatures or surface chemistry, is crucial
for economic recovery. Overcoming this challenge could
not only unlock the vast potential of the Baptiste deposit
but could also pave the way for efficient processing of other
complex ores with similar mineral associations.
The aim of this work is to summarize and comple-
ment existing recovery knowledge resulting from research
performed by the authors in the last 5 years. The research
was focused on critical aspects of recovering nickel from
mineralization in the Decar Nickel District, focusing on
optimizing flotation as a selective separation method.
Unlocking the knowledge of awaruite’s response to flotation
is crucial due to its potential for efficient and cost-effective
extraction, especially considering the challenges posed by
the presence of magnetite in the deposit. Furthermore,
areas for further research are suggested based on the out-
comes of the work.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sample
This study utilized drill core samples from the Baptiste
deposit (FPX Nickel Corp., Vancouver, Canada). The sam-
ple was selected ensuring that it represented the full range
of mineralization across the proposed life of mine and char-
acterizing the mill feed. A full description of the awaruite
from Baptiste is presented in a previous study carried out
by the same authors, including awaruite physicochemical
properties, chemical composition, crystallographic struc-
ture, magnetic properties, and liberation characteristics
(Seiler, Sánchez and Bradshaw, et al. 2022). Awaruite flota-
tion experiments were performed on fresh feed but also on
magnetic products as shown in Figure 1. The characteristics
of the material used for flotation is presented in Table 1.
Detailed mineralogical information of the sample presented
also in a previous study (Seiler, Sánchez and Bradshaw, et
al. 2022).
Flotation
Flotation tests were conducted in a Denver D12 lab-scale
flotation cell operated at an impeller speed of 1200 rpm
with a constant airflow of 5 L/min at 20% feed solids.
Following grinding, suspensions were mixed for 1 min
and the pH was adjusted to the desired value (4.5) using
diluted sulfuric acid (0.5 or 1 M) prepared with distilled
water. Continuous pH monitoring and automated control
were achieved using a Hach SC200 controller and an Iwaki
Hi-Resolution pump. Acid addition was recorded by weight
difference for accurate control. Additionally, the oxidation-
reduction potential was monitored to understand the pulp’s
redox state and its potential influence on awaruite flota-
tion behavior. These specific parameters were chosen based
on preliminary studies and previous literature to optimize
awaruite recovery while addressing the challenges of selec-
tive separation from magnetite (Seiler, Sánchez and Pawlik,
et al. 2023).
Following a 10-min conditioning period at con-
stant pH, rougher flotation tests employed xanthate as
collector. After conditioning with collector for 2-min,
frother (DOWFROTH 200) was added and the pulp was