The investigation and possibility of leaching or bioleaching from nikel bearing laterite ores

The refractory or low grade nickel laterite domestic ores in Republic of Macedonia are investigated by conventional magnetic separation technology or segregation - flotation - magnetic separation, or production and smelting to ferronickel. In the mean time investigations are directed to the new possibilities of leaching by microorganisms - bioleaching. The paper is result of these technologies and investigations carried out for recovery of in the mentioned ores. The average grade from segregation - flotation process as a nickel metal concentrate was cca 80-90% Ni, and recovery was up to 80-85%. The average recoveries from leaching were cca 87-90% for nickel and the average recoveries from bioleaching were cca 93-95% for nickel