New methods of processing of Cuban nickel ores and technogenic slimes

In this paper the problems of beneficiation of lateritic nickel ores of the Cuba Republic and passing extraction from them and slurry waste of elements of platinum group is discussed. For carrying out research 100 kg of ore and 130 kg of tails of beneficiation were selected. It is established that in the course of receiving nickel-cobalt go of a sinter in slimes concentrates rhodium (0,074 %) and platinum (0,018 %). The chemical composition of the ore is now determined at the specialized pilot processing research center in Cuba on eight elements only (Ni, Co, Si, Fe, Mg, Al, Cr), but rare and PGM metals content is not included in the assessment scope. Within the scope of science and engineering cooperation between the Mining University (St. Petersburg) and the Higher Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Moa a dressability assessment of laterite ores involving recovery of other rare earth metals (REM) has been performed. The investigation of the performance data available allowed to arrive at a conclusion that the most expedient means of production cost reduction to make it competitive with no capital reconstruction of metallurgical shops will be a pre-concentration process.