Method of producing a nickel-cobalt hydroxide by hydrometallurgy of a lateritic nickel ore

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method of producing a nickel-cobalt hydroxide by hydrometallurgy of a lateritic nickel ore, wherein raw ores of lateritic nickel ores are screened, and subjected to different processing and acid leaching. After the leachates are merged, calcium carbonate is added to remove iron and aluminum, and calcium hydroxide is subsequently added to cause precipitation, thereby obtaining a nickel-cobalt hydroxide. The particular technological processes and keeping the ion product of the magnesium ion and the hydroxyl ion less than the solubility product of the magnesium hydroxide make it impossible for the magnesium ions to precipitate within the nickel-cobalt hydroxide. As a result, an overall nickel-cobalt recovery rate as high as 98% can be achieved, and the obtained nickel-cobalt hydroxide can have a nickel content of greater than or equal to 40%, an iron content of less than 0.5% and a magnesium content of less than 1%.