XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 3385
Detailed flotation performance is presented in a previous
paper published by the same authors (Seiler, Bradshaw and
Klein 2023). The results are similar to the values reported
in Figure 2. The rougher nickel recovery at pH 6.5 with-
out activators was 16.2%, with a nickel grade of 0.23%,
highlighting the poor flotation performance without acti-
vators, and the importance of including them. Using pH
6.5 for awaruite flotation with activators offers significant
advantages, as xanthate half-life increase from tens of min-
utes at pH 4.5 to several hours at pH 6.5. This improve-
ment could reduce overall collector consumption and the
need for frequent replenishment. Additionally, maintaining
pH 6.5 requires 44% less sulfuric acid compared to pH
4.5 (17.9 kg/t vs 31.8 kg/t). These benefits may translate
to reduced operational costs, lower environmental impact,
and potentially improved process efficiency due to less
downtime for replenishing collectors and adjusting pH.
The results showed selective flotation of the awaruite
in the serpentinized ultramafic sample. While this achieve-
ment is promising, further investigation is needed to assess
the scalability of this process and its performance with more
complex feed materials. Additionally, exploring the long-
term stability of the activated awaruite in industrial settings
would be crucial for potential application development.
CONCLUSIONS
A long-term study nickel recovering from an ultra-
mafic deposit revealed the following key observations.
Microflotation experiments demonstrated that awaruite
exhibits selective flotation in weakly acidic conditions
(pH 4.5) using a xanthate collector. However, flotation
was virtually absent under neutral and alkaline condi-
tions (pH6.5). Voltammetry analysis suggested that this
behavior is linked to the alloy’s electrochemical response.
In acidic solutions, awaruite undergoes an “active passive
transition,” exposing reactive sites that readily interact with
the xanthate collector. Conversely, in neutral and alkaline
solutions, a passivation layer forms on the surface, effec-
tively blocking interaction with the collector. This key find-
ing highlights the crucial role of pH in awaruite flotation
and underscores the need for tailored strategies based on
operating conditions.
Bench-scale flotation tests successfully validated the
microflotation results, demonstrating selective awaruite
flotation under weakly acidic conditions with a xanthate
collector on rock samples. Notably, rougher stages achieved
over 60% nickel recoveries. Flotation showed to be a robust
process, leading to cleaner concentrate with a nickel grade
of almost 60%, which represent a final product with out-
standing characteristics.
Preconcentration of the sample with magnetic separa-
tion showed to effectively reduced the acid consumption.
A novel awaruite activation approach was developed
using ammonium sulfate and thiosulfate under neutral
pH conditions. This neutral pH flotation achieves selec-
tive awaruite recovery while significantly reducing xanthate
decomposition and sulfuric acid consumption compared to
weakly acidic conditions. Despite these promising results,
further investigation is needed to address potential limita-
tions and optimize the process for industrial application.
Exploring long-term stability of the activated awaruite and
its impact on concentrate quality would also be crucial for
broader implementation.
An overall conclusion of the research is that the findings
provided fundamental data that could unlock the potential
of awaruite deposits as new sources of nickel, ultimately
benefiting the mining industry. Our research suggests a
novel processing approach that could produce a nickel con-
centrate with outstanding characteristics. This translates
to a more efficient and environmentally friendly approach
to nickel production, addressing current challenges of
decreasing ore grades and growing sustainability concerns.
Furthermore, the unique characteristics of the Baptiste
deposit, indicate it could be a minimal carbon footprint
source of nickel, making it a potentially crucial player in
the green transition toward sustainable stainless steel and
electric vehicle battery production. By paving the way for
responsible and sustainable nickel mining, this research
holds significant promise for the future of the industry.
REFERENCES
Britten, Ron. 2017. “Regional Metallogeny and Genesis of
a New Deposit Type -Disseminated Awaruite (Ni3Fe)
Mineralization Hosted in the Cache Creek Terrane.”
Economic Geology 517–550.
Campagnol, Nicolo, Ken Hoffman, Ajay Lala, and Oliver
Ramsbottom. 2017. The future of nickel: A class act.
McKinsey&Company.
Crundwell, F. K., M. S. Moats, V. Ramachandran, T. G.
Robinson, and W. G. Davenport. 2011. Extractive
Metallurgy of Nickel, Cobalt and Platinum-Group
Metals. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Grandillo, A., R. Voordouw, R. Simpson, G. Chen, S.
Ennis, and J. Austin .2020. NI 43-101 Technical
Report -Preliminary Economic Assessment -Baptiste
Nickel Project. Vancouver: FPX Nickel Corporation.
IEA. 2021. “The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy
Transitions.” International Energy Agency. Accessed
December 2021. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role
-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions.
Detailed flotation performance is presented in a previous
paper published by the same authors (Seiler, Bradshaw and
Klein 2023). The results are similar to the values reported
in Figure 2. The rougher nickel recovery at pH 6.5 with-
out activators was 16.2%, with a nickel grade of 0.23%,
highlighting the poor flotation performance without acti-
vators, and the importance of including them. Using pH
6.5 for awaruite flotation with activators offers significant
advantages, as xanthate half-life increase from tens of min-
utes at pH 4.5 to several hours at pH 6.5. This improve-
ment could reduce overall collector consumption and the
need for frequent replenishment. Additionally, maintaining
pH 6.5 requires 44% less sulfuric acid compared to pH
4.5 (17.9 kg/t vs 31.8 kg/t). These benefits may translate
to reduced operational costs, lower environmental impact,
and potentially improved process efficiency due to less
downtime for replenishing collectors and adjusting pH.
The results showed selective flotation of the awaruite
in the serpentinized ultramafic sample. While this achieve-
ment is promising, further investigation is needed to assess
the scalability of this process and its performance with more
complex feed materials. Additionally, exploring the long-
term stability of the activated awaruite in industrial settings
would be crucial for potential application development.
CONCLUSIONS
A long-term study nickel recovering from an ultra-
mafic deposit revealed the following key observations.
Microflotation experiments demonstrated that awaruite
exhibits selective flotation in weakly acidic conditions
(pH 4.5) using a xanthate collector. However, flotation
was virtually absent under neutral and alkaline condi-
tions (pH6.5). Voltammetry analysis suggested that this
behavior is linked to the alloy’s electrochemical response.
In acidic solutions, awaruite undergoes an “active passive
transition,” exposing reactive sites that readily interact with
the xanthate collector. Conversely, in neutral and alkaline
solutions, a passivation layer forms on the surface, effec-
tively blocking interaction with the collector. This key find-
ing highlights the crucial role of pH in awaruite flotation
and underscores the need for tailored strategies based on
operating conditions.
Bench-scale flotation tests successfully validated the
microflotation results, demonstrating selective awaruite
flotation under weakly acidic conditions with a xanthate
collector on rock samples. Notably, rougher stages achieved
over 60% nickel recoveries. Flotation showed to be a robust
process, leading to cleaner concentrate with a nickel grade
of almost 60%, which represent a final product with out-
standing characteristics.
Preconcentration of the sample with magnetic separa-
tion showed to effectively reduced the acid consumption.
A novel awaruite activation approach was developed
using ammonium sulfate and thiosulfate under neutral
pH conditions. This neutral pH flotation achieves selec-
tive awaruite recovery while significantly reducing xanthate
decomposition and sulfuric acid consumption compared to
weakly acidic conditions. Despite these promising results,
further investigation is needed to address potential limita-
tions and optimize the process for industrial application.
Exploring long-term stability of the activated awaruite and
its impact on concentrate quality would also be crucial for
broader implementation.
An overall conclusion of the research is that the findings
provided fundamental data that could unlock the potential
of awaruite deposits as new sources of nickel, ultimately
benefiting the mining industry. Our research suggests a
novel processing approach that could produce a nickel con-
centrate with outstanding characteristics. This translates
to a more efficient and environmentally friendly approach
to nickel production, addressing current challenges of
decreasing ore grades and growing sustainability concerns.
Furthermore, the unique characteristics of the Baptiste
deposit, indicate it could be a minimal carbon footprint
source of nickel, making it a potentially crucial player in
the green transition toward sustainable stainless steel and
electric vehicle battery production. By paving the way for
responsible and sustainable nickel mining, this research
holds significant promise for the future of the industry.
REFERENCES
Britten, Ron. 2017. “Regional Metallogeny and Genesis of
a New Deposit Type -Disseminated Awaruite (Ni3Fe)
Mineralization Hosted in the Cache Creek Terrane.”
Economic Geology 517–550.
Campagnol, Nicolo, Ken Hoffman, Ajay Lala, and Oliver
Ramsbottom. 2017. The future of nickel: A class act.
McKinsey&Company.
Crundwell, F. K., M. S. Moats, V. Ramachandran, T. G.
Robinson, and W. G. Davenport. 2011. Extractive
Metallurgy of Nickel, Cobalt and Platinum-Group
Metals. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Grandillo, A., R. Voordouw, R. Simpson, G. Chen, S.
Ennis, and J. Austin .2020. NI 43-101 Technical
Report -Preliminary Economic Assessment -Baptiste
Nickel Project. Vancouver: FPX Nickel Corporation.
IEA. 2021. “The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy
Transitions.” International Energy Agency. Accessed
December 2021. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role
-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions.