@article{(Open Science Index):https://publications.waset.org/pdf/13415,
	  title     = {Leaching Behaviour of a Low-grade South African Nickel Laterite},
	  author    = {Catherine K. Thubakgale and  Richard K.K. Mbaya and  Kaby Kabongo},
	  country	= {},
	  institution	= {},
	  abstract     = {The morphology, mineralogical and chemical
composition of a low-grade nickel ore from Mpumalanga, South
Africa, were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray
diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), respectively. The
ore was subjected to atmospheric agitation leaching using sulphuric
acid to investigate the effects of acid concentration, leaching
temperature, leaching time and particle size on extraction of nickel
and cobalt. Analyses results indicated the ore to be a saprolitic nickel
laterite belonging to the serpentine group of minerals. Sulphuric acid
was found to be able to extract nickel from the ore. Increased acid
concentration and temperature only produced low amounts of nickel
but improved cobalt extraction. As high as 77.44% Ni was achieved
when leaching a -106+75μm fraction with 4.0M acid concentration at
25oC. The kinetics of nickel leaching from the saprolitic ore were
studied and the activation energy was determined to be 18.16kJ/mol.
This indicated that nickel leaching reaction was diffusion controlled.},
	    journal   = {International Journal of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering},
	  volume    = {6},
	  number    = {8},
	  year      = {2012},
	  pages     = {767 - 771},
	  ee        = {https://publications.waset.org/pdf/13415},
	  url   	= {https://publications.waset.org/vol/68},
	  bibsource = {https://publications.waset.org/},
	  issn  	= {eISSN: 1307-6892},
	  publisher = {World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology},
	  index 	= {Open Science Index 68, 2012},
	}