Reduction of low-grade nickel laterite ore using sulfur-containing coal

The process of reduction followed by magnetic enrichment is currently considered as an effective method for nickel extraction from nickel laterite ore. In this case, reduction plays the role of a preliminary preparation stage before magnetic separation. The article presents the results of studies on the reduction of low-grade nickel laterite ore using sulfur-containing coal from the Na Duong deposit (Vietnam), a cheap coal with a high sulfur content. Despite the environmental restrictions associated with the use of high-sulfur coal in metallurgy, it was found that sulfur promotes the formation of weakly magnetic iron sulfides, which reduces the iron content in magnetic products and significantly improves the efficiency of nickel extraction. Experiments were carried out with varying temperature (900–1200 °C) and coal ratio (5–12.5%) at a fixed reduction time (90 minutes). The effect of Na2SO4 (3%) additive was studied, which enhanced the reduction process, increasing the nickel content in the concentrate to 3.66% and the recovery rate to 77%. The obtained data highlight the economic potential of using cheap sulfur-containing coal as a reducing agent for processing low-grade laterite ores. The results open up prospects for technology optimization and further research of the process parameters.

Phung T. T., Tran T. T., Pham V. L., Zinoveev D. V., Nguyen H., Nguyen V. M. Reduction of low-grade nickel laterite ore using sulfur-containing coal. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2025;(9-1):168-183. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2025_91_0_168.

The work was carried out with financial support provided within the framework of the basic level research project of the University of Mining and Geology, project number: T22-37.

Phung Tien Thuat¹, Master, Senior Lecturer, e-mail: phungtienthuat@humg.edu.vn,
Tran Trung Toi¹, Ph.D. in Technical Sciences, Senior Lecturer, e-mail: trantrungtoi@humg.edu.vn,
Pham Van Luan¹, Ph.D. in Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, e-mail: phamvanluan@humg.edu.vn,
D.V. Zinoveev, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, NUST MISIS, 119049, Moscow, Russia, e-mail: zinoveev.dv@misis.ru,
Nguyen Huynh², Ph.D. in Technical Sciences, e-mail: Nguyenhuynh1586@gmail.com,
Nguyen Van Minh², Ph.D. in Technical Sciences, e-mail: chinhnhan88@gmail.com,
¹ Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam,
² Institute of Technology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam.

Nguyen Van Minh, e-mail: chinhnhan88@gmail.com.

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