Where is nickel ore located?
Where is nickel ore located?
The world’s nickel resources are currently estimated at almost 300 million tons. Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, Russia and Canada account for more than 50% of the global nickel resources. Economic concentrations of nickel occur in sulphide and in laterite-type ore deposits.
How are nickel laterites formed?
Nickel laterites are the weathering products of ultramafic rock exposed in a tropical to sub-tropical climate. Relatively high temperatures and rainfall cause intense weathering, resulting in the destruction of the primary Ni-bearing minerals, olivine and serpentine and the leaching of Si and Mg.
Which type of ore is the major source of nickel?
The bulk of the nickel mined comes from two types of ore deposits: laterites where the principal ore minerals are nickeliferous limonite [(Fe,Ni)O(OH)] and garnierite (a hydrous nickel silicate), or. magmatic sulfide deposits where the principal ore mineral is pentlandite [(Ni,Fe)9S8].
What is laterite mining?
Laterite is mined while it is below the water table, so it is wet and soft. Upon exposure to air it gradually hardens as the moisture between the flat clay particles evaporates and the larger iron salts lock into a rigid lattice structure and become resistant to atmospheric conditions.
Which country has the most nickel?
Indonesia
The major countries in nickel mining include Indonesia, Philippines, Russia, and New Caledonia. Indonesia is also the country with the largest reserves of nickel, followed by Australia and Brazil.
What is nickel matte?
Nickel requires higher smelting temperatures (in the range of 1,350 °C [2,460 °F]) in order to produce an artificial nickel-iron sulfide known as matte, which contains 25 to 45 percent nickel. The slag is drawn off, leaving a matte of 70 to 75 percent nickel.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of laterite soil?
Has a high clay content, which means it can hold more water. Because it’s porous, it’s ideal for storing water in rural locations. Because these soils are created through leaching, they contain fewer minerals and organic components. As alkalis are leached, they are acidic in nature.
What is laterite used for?
Laterite has been used as an iron ore and, in Cuba, as a source of nickel.
Where is the largest nickel deposit in the world?
Top six countries with the largest nickel reserves in the world
- Indonesia – 21 million tonnes.
- Australia – 20 million tonnes.
- Brazil – 16 million tonnes.
- Russia – 6.9 million tonnes.
- Cuba – 5.5 million tonnes.
- Philippines – 4.8 million tonnes.