Pyrometallurgical treatment of nickeliferous pyrrhotite tailings for the recovery of Ni, Fe, and S

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Nickeliferous pyrrhotite tailing is a waste stream from the processing of nickel sulfide ores for nickel production. An estimated amount of 50~100 million tonnes of the material has been deposited in shallow lakes or dams in the Sudbury district, Ontario, which poses a potential environmental hazard for the local environment. The proposed project aims at developing a process to recover all values (Ni, Fe and S) from this stream, thereby convert the waste to value, and address the environmental concern at the same time. The final products from the process are Fe-Ni alloys, Fe powders, elemental sulfur for various industrial applications, as well as electricity. The various steps of the process are integrated in a way that would produce products of high economic value with minimal environmental impact and energy consumption, making it attractive from all technical, environmental, and economic perspectives. The proposed three-year project will involve approximately 15 researchers. Thus a large number of highly qualified personnel will be trained through the research. A great deal of knowledge will also be gained by testing the innovative ideas put forward and collaboration with the industry, leading to substantial development of this technology as well as its potential commercialization. By directly addressing the sustainability issues of the mining and metallurgical sectors, this proposed process could bring about benefits to Canada from the economic, social and environmental aspects.