With a global reputation of offering premier technologies for processing nickel concentrates, Outotec has recently developed new technologies for leaching ores, concentrates and tailings. In addition, we are currently developing a process for nickel laterites.
When it comes to the smelting of sulfidic concentrates, we have three proven solutions to meet your needs. Our direct nickel flash smelting process produces high-grade nickel matte directly from the flash smelting furnace. In addition we can provide you with the traditional nickel flash smelting process which produces high-grade nickel matte once it has been converted in the converters. Our recent acquisition of Ausmelt means that we can also offer the well-known Ausmelt TSL process primary nickel concentrates.
The nickel matte is processed hydrometallurgically using Outotec’s atmospheric leaching process, solvent extraction and electrowinning/reduction. Our development of these hydrometallurgical processes opens new opportunities for processing old and new nickel raw materials including the processing of intermediate products from laterite high acid leaching.
Not only do our nickel processing solutions help you achieve primary end products such as nickel briquettes and cathodes, but we also can recover valuable by-products such as copper sulfide, cobalt and sulfuric acid. As in the other pyrometallurgical processes, high sulfur-containing gases can then be treated in an Outotec-designed sulfuric acid plant.