Analysis on Pyrometallurgical Technologies of Producing Ferronickel from Lateritic Nickel Ore

This paper focuses on the development of pyrometallurgical technologies of producing ferronickel from lateritic nickel ore over years in China. The advantage of traditional pyrometallurgical technologies of lateritic nickel ore is mature, simple, effective, etc.; while its disadvantage is high energy consumption, excessive slag in the course of smelting, high smelting temperature, serious dust pollution, etc. The study on pyrometallurgical technologies of lateritic nickel ore is imperative currently and needs to be explored in depth from improving reduction smelting technologies. The hard problems of high energy consumption and recovery of valuable metals in nickel extractive metallurgy can be solved by putting forward new methods and new technologies, thereby realizing low-energy consumption and low emission of pyrometallurgical technologies of lateritic nickel ore and sustainable development of nickel industry. Resource Application and Alloy Materials Division of China Iron & Steel Research Institute Group has developed a new low-temperature reduction technology of lateritic nickel ore. The new technology is a new method for efficient utilization of resources and energy, which has a low reaction temperature and eliminates the subsequent electric smelting process. The new technology has the advantages of low-energy consumption, friendly environment, low investment, low cost and can smelt low-grade nickel ore with nickel content at 1.0–1.2%. The new technology has value of application and popularity.