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Questions and Answers
What is the primary process responsible for the formation of nickel laterite?
What is the typical nickel content range of nickel laterite?
Which of the following metals is NOT typically found in nickel laterite?
What is the main difference between hydrous nickel silicate and oxide type nickel laterite?
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What is the primary method used to extract nickel from laterite ores?
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What is the approximate percentage of global nickel production that comes from nickel laterite?
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Which of the following countries is NOT a major nickel laterite-producing country?
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What is a significant environmental concern associated with the extraction and processing of nickel laterite?
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What is the final product of nickel extraction from laterite ores?
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Study Notes
Nickel Laterite
Definition A type of nickel ore that forms from the weathering of ultramafic rocks, often in tropical regions.
Formation Nickel laterite is formed through the process of lateritization, where ultramafic rocks are broken down by tropical weathering, resulting in the concentration of nickel and other metals.
Characteristics
- Typically consists of a mixture of iron oxide, silica, and nickel-bearing minerals
- Often has a low nickel content, ranging from 0.5-2.5%
- Can also contain other metals such as cobalt, iron, and chromium
Types
- Hydrous nickel silicate (garnierite) type: Characterized by a high nickel content and a silica-rich matrix
- Oxide type: Characterized by a high iron oxide content and a lower nickel content
Extraction and Processing
- Nickel is often extracted from laterite ores using a process known as heap leaching, where the ore is treated with sulfuric acid to dissolve the nickel
- The nickel-rich solution is then purified and precipitated as a nickel oxide or metal product
Economic Importance
- Nickel laterite is a significant source of nickel, accounting for approximately 60% of global nickel production
- Major nickel laterite-producing countries include Indonesia, Philippines, and Australia
Environmental Concerns
- The extraction and processing of nickel laterite can have environmental impacts, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution
- The use of sulfuric acid in the extraction process can also lead to acid mine drainage, a significant environmental concern
Nickel Laterite
- A type of nickel ore that forms from the weathering of ultramafic rocks, often in tropical regions.
Formation
- Nickel laterite is formed through the process of lateritization, where ultramafic rocks are broken down by tropical weathering.
- This process results in the concentration of nickel and other metals.
Characteristics
- Typically consists of a mixture of iron oxide, silica, and nickel-bearing minerals.
- Often has a low nickel content, ranging from 0.5-2.5%.
- Can also contain other metals such as cobalt, iron, and chromium.
Types
- Hydrous nickel silicate (garnierite) type: characterized by a high nickel content and a silica-rich matrix.
- Oxide type: characterized by a high iron oxide content and a lower nickel content.
Extraction and Processing
- Nickel is often extracted from laterite ores using a process known as heap leaching.
- The ore is treated with sulfuric acid to dissolve the nickel.
- The nickel-rich solution is then purified and precipitated as a nickel oxide or metal product.
Economic Importance
- Nickel laterite is a significant source of nickel, accounting for approximately 60% of global nickel production.
- Major nickel laterite-producing countries include Indonesia, Philippines, and Australia.
Environmental Concerns
- The extraction and processing of nickel laterite can have environmental impacts, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution.
- The use of sulfuric acid in the extraction process can also lead to acid mine drainage, a significant environmental concern.
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Description
Learn about the formation and characteristics of nickel laterite, a type of nickel ore formed through the weathering of ultramafic rocks in tropical regions.
