Feasibility Exploration of the Efficient Recovery of Chromium from a Lateritic Nickel Deposit

Lateritic nickel deposits frequently contain elevated concentrations of chromium. The recovery of this fraction of chromium resources can enhance the comprehensive utilization of resources while simultaneously reducing the energy consumption and environmental pollution associated with smelting. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and technical challenges associated with the recovery of chromium from lateritic nickel deposits from a mineralogical perspective. To this end, a process mineralogical study was conducted on a lateritic nickel deposit in Indonesia. It was discovered that chromium often occurs as a chromium mineral, chromite, and exhibits significant physical differences from common minerals in lateritic nickel deposits, such as limonite and serpentine, making it suitable for physical beneficiation. Chromite constitutes a mere 3.72% of the ore sample, yet it is enriched with a 63.40% chromium content. Consequently, on the basis of determining the granularity and liberation characteristics of chromite and the occurrence state of chromium, we predicted that the recovery rate could reach 39.47%, constituting a feasible value for chromium recovery. This will enable a more scientific approach to the physical beneficiation process.