The beneficiation of limonite laterite nickel ore critically impacts the efficiency, environmental sustainability, and economic viability of downstream metallurgical processes, particularly High-Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL). This study systematically explores the application of high-intensity magnetic separation (HIMS) integrated as an early-stage method specifically designed to enhance chromium recovery from limonite laterite nickel ore. Comprehensive mineralogical and chemical characterizations were conducted on ore samples sourced from Morowali, Indonesia, followed by structured physical separation trials, including hydraulic classification and magnetic separation. Optimal results demonstrated a chromium recovery rate of 83.60% with significant enrichment with a chromium grade of 10.13% and a Cr/Fe ratio of 0.38 under a magnetic field intensity of 6300 Oe. This early-stage process achieved a nickel recovery of 90.28%, which will be continued to the HPAL process, and a chromium recovery of 53.04%, which will be continued to the physical separation process. These findings highlight the potential of HIMS to improve resource efficiency and economic returns in limonite laterite nickel ore extraction, while also enhancing environmental sustainability and mineral recovery rates.