Combined Flotation Hydrometallurgical Technology for the Beneficiation and Processing of Disseminated Copper–Nickel Ores

The possibilities of extracting valuable components and producing selective good-quality concentrates from hard-to-beneficiate crude ores are considered for the disseminated copper–nickel ores from the Norilsk district. The stated aim is achieved by a combined technology including beneficiation and hydrometallurgical processes. Beneficiation is aimed at producing a rich copper concentrate and a nickel–pyrrhotite product. The aim of the hydrometallurgical process is the leaching of a nickel–pyrrhotite product followed by the flotation production of a nickel concentrate. The flotation hydrometallurgical processing of a nickel–pyrrhotite product makes it possible to produce nickel concentrates of a higher quality than those synthesized using a traditional technology.