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Abstract

A method is provided for conditioning nickel laterite pregnant leach liquor in preparation for the recovery of nickel therefrom in which pregnant leach liquor is mixed in a reaction vessel under atmospheric pressure with an amount of roasted high-magnesium nickeliferous silicate ore to form a pulp thereof, the amount of roasted ore being at least sufficient to lower the free acid content of pregnant liquor entering the thickener to a level corresponding to a pH ranging from about 1.8 to 3. The pregnant liquor is conditioned by stirring the pulp thereof at a temperature not exceeding 100.degree. C. for a time sufficient to lower the free acid content of the resulting conditioned pregnant liquor to the desired level and to effect substantial precipitation of iron as iron hydroxide and dissolved silica in the liquor. The treated pulp is then passed to a thickener to provide an underflow of residual roasted ore and an overflow of conditioned pregnant liquor is passed to metal recovery while withdrawing the residual roasted ore from the thickener, a portion of which is then recycled to the reaction vessel to which freshly roasted ore is also added.

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First Claim