Efficient and selective recovery of Ni,Cu, and Co from low-nickel matte via a hydrometallurgical process

Low-nickel matte was intensively characterized, and Ni, Cu, and Co were determined to exist mainly as (Fe,Ni)₉S₈ and FeNi₃, Cu₅FeS₄, and (Fe,Ni)₉S₈ and Fe₃O₄ (in isomorphic form), respectively. The efficient and selective extraction of Ni, Cu, and Co from the low-nickel matte in an (NH₄)₂S₂O₈/NH₃·H₂O solution system was studied. The effects of (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ and NH₃·H₂O concentrations, leaching time, and leaching temperature on the metal extraction efficiency were systematically investigated. During the oxidative ammonia leaching process, the metal extraction efficiencies of Ni 81.07%, Cu 93.81%, and Co 71.74% were obtained under the optimal conditions. The relatively low leaching efficiency of Ni was mainly ascribed to NiFe alloy deactivation in ammonia solution. By introducing an acid pre-leaching process into the oxidative ammonia leaching process, we achieved the high extraction efficiencies of 98.03%, 99.13%, and 85.60% for the valuable metals Ni, Cu, and Co, respectively, from the low-nickel matte.