A Novel Approach to Processing of Australian Laterite Ores through Selective Reduction and Carbonylation

1998年开始在澳大利亚加工红土矿石，大大增强了澳大利亚在国际镍市场上的作用。然而，用现有技术从氧化矿生产镍的能耗是处理硫化矿石的两到三倍，对环境有重大影响。这突显了开发更节能的氧化矿工艺的重要性。拟议的技术将显著减少镍生产中的能源和水消耗，以及温室气体排放。这将增强澳大利亚镍业的竞争力，刺激其扩张，具有显著的经济效益和社会效益。

Processing of laterite ores, started in 1998 in Australia, has significantly enhanced Australian role on the international nickel market. However, the production of nickel from oxide ores by established technologies consumes two to three times energy as processing of sulphide ores with significant environmental impact. This underlines the importance of development of more energy efficient processes for oxide ores. The proposed technology will significantly decrease energy and water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions in nickel production. It will enhance the competitiveness of Australian Nickel Industry and stimulate its expansion with significant economy and social benefits.