Characterisation, concentration and acidic reductive leaching of limonitic laterites from New Caledonia

IF 3.4 3区地球科学 Q1 GEOCHEMISTRY & GEOPHYSICS

Applied Geochemistry Pub Date : 2025-09-26 DOI:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2025.106569

Agathe Hubau , Agnieszka Dybowska , Paul F. Schofield , Diego Gianolio , Ana Santos , Richard J. Herrington , Douglas Pino-Herrera , Hafida Tris , Marion Erard , Anne-Gwénaëlle Guezennec

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Abstract

This study aimed at determining Ni and Co leaching kinetics from a New Caledonian laterite in an acidic medium (H₂SO₄ pH 1.5) and in a reductive environment (addition of SO₃²⁻ or Fe(II)) at 46 °C. The mineralogical study revealed that Co was mainly carried by Mn oxyhydroxides in the limonite sample. Conversely, Ni was hosted by both Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides. In the presence of a reductive reagent, Mn oxyhydroxides dissolved rapidly compared to goethite, the main Fe oxyhydroxide in the sample. Co, Mn and Ni reductive leaching yields reached 79 %, 83 % and 9 % respectively after 2 days. Based on these results, a Mn oxides concentrate was produced in order to efficiently leach Co while limiting Fe oxyhydroxide dissolution. This concentrate resulted from a combination of particle size and gravity separation steps. The volume/mass of sample was drastically decreased since the mass of the final sample was only 3.3 % of the initial one. Co content increased from 0.16 wt% in the limonite to 2.3 wt% in the concentrate, representing an enrichment factor of 13.8 and recovery yield of 60 %. Co, Mn and Ni leaching yields reached 87 %, 95 % and 80 % respectively in the Mn oxides concentrate leaching experiment. The difference in Ni behaviour was consistent with the mineralogical composition: Ni was mainly carried by the goethite in the laterite, while it was hosted mainly by the Mn oxyhydroxides in the Mn oxides concentrate. This study gives a proof of concept for the development a robust pre-concentration process to recover Co.

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新喀里多尼亚褐铁矿的特征、浓度和酸性还原浸出

本研究旨在测定新喀里多尼亚红土在酸性介质（H2SO4 pH 1.5）和还原性环境（添加SO32−或Fe(II)）下46°C下Ni和Co的浸出动力学。矿物学研究表明，褐铁矿样品中Co主要由锰氧氢氧化物携带。相反，Ni同时被Fe和Mn氧氢氧化物所承载。在还原剂存在的情况下，与针铁矿（样品中主要的铁氢氧化物）相比，Mn氢氧化物溶解得更快。2 d后Co、Mn和Ni还原浸出率分别达到79%、83%和9%。在此基础上，制备了锰氧化物精矿，以有效浸出Co，同时限制铁的氢氧溶解。该精矿是由粒度和重力分离步骤结合而成的。样品的体积/质量急剧下降，因为最终样品的质量仅为初始样品的3.3%。精矿中Co含量由褐铁矿的0.16 wt%提高到2.3 wt%，富集系数为13.8，回收率为60%。在锰氧化物精矿浸出试验中，Co、Mn和Ni的浸出率分别达到87%、95%和80%。镍的行为差异与矿物学组成一致：镍主要由红土中的针铁矿携带，而主要由锰氧化物精矿中的锰氢氧化物携带。该研究为开发稳健的Co预富集工艺提供了概念证明。

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来源期刊

Applied Geochemistry 地学-地球化学与地球物理

CiteScore

6.10

自引率

8.80%

发文量

272

审稿时长

65 days

期刊介绍： Applied Geochemistry is an international journal devoted to publication of original research papers, rapid research communications and selected review papers in geochemistry and urban geochemistry which have some practical application to an aspect of human endeavour, such as the preservation of the environment, health, waste disposal and the search for resources. Papers on applications of inorganic, organic and isotope geochemistry and geochemical processes are therefore welcome provided they meet the main criterion. Spatial and temporal monitoring case studies are only of interest to our international readership if they present new ideas of broad application. Topics covered include: (1) Environmental geochemistry (including natural and anthropogenic aspects, and protection and remediation strategies); (2) Hydrogeochemistry (surface and groundwater); (3) Medical (urban) geochemistry; (4) The search for energy resources (in particular unconventional oil and gas or emerging metal resources); (5) Energy exploitation (in particular geothermal energy and CCS); (6) Upgrading of energy and mineral resources where there is a direct geochemical application; and (7) Waste disposal, including nuclear waste disposal.