Pacific Metals Starts Test Plant to Enrich Lower Grade Nickel Ore

Japanese largest ferronickel maker, Pacific Metals started test plant of nickel ore enrichment in the plant in Aomori. The firm extracts nickel from lower grade ore through domestic first hydrometallurgy process. The firm tries to expand the resource when ore grade gets lower. After the test, the firm builds the commercial plant at mine site while the efficient transport also contributes to lower carbon dioxide emission.

The firm tests the 5 billion yen plant through one year operation. The test is to gather data from tests with various ore grade. After the test, the firm evaluates the feasibility. The firm expects the commercial plant to provide intermediate material at mine site could improve stable supply of the ore.

The firm purchases now ore with 2.1% of nickel and the content decreased by around 1% in 30 years. The test plant can enrich lower grade ore with around 1.5% nickel into intermediate material with 40% nickel.