Polar Division of MMC “Norilsk Nikel”, Norilsk, Russia:
O. S. Ivanov, Leading Processing Engineer (Center of Engineering Maintenance of Production), e-mail: kasper2604@yandex.ru
A. F. Petrov, Head of Laboratory (Center of Engineering Maintenance of Production)
O. V. Bolshakova, Head of Laboratory (Center of Engineering Maintenance of Production)
A. I. Yurev, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, Director of Center of Engineering Maintenance of Production

At present the Polar Division of MMC “Norilsk Nickel” uses the existing technology to separate converter matte into 3 products: copper concentrate, nickel concentrate, and magnetic fraction of converter matte (MFCM). Magnetic fraction of converter matte is a low-sulfur product with high content of platinum group metals and capable of accumulating them. Combined treatment of magnetic fraction and nickel concentrate results in higher losses of nonferrous and platinum group metals, especially Os and Ru, forming highly volatile oxides. Therefore it necessitates upgrading of the MFCM extraction processes and its further treatment minimizing PGM losses. The processes of extraction and treatment of magnetic fraction of converter matte have been investigated. It has been stated that the yield of magnetic fraction is a function of the metal alloy amount in converter matte, of the degree of alloy particles and sulphide phases unlocking resulted from converter matte grinding, as well as magnetic separation conditions. Extraction of PGM bulk to the converter matte magnetic fraction depends on the extraction degree of the magnetic fraction as well as of metal alloy magnetization. The processes of electrochemical and chemical leaching of MFCM have been studied. It has been determined that by means of electrochemical leaching it is possible to diminish the feed volume by 3 times; whereas hydrochloric acid leaching allows to reduce the same volume by 400 times. Therefore, in the first case the undissolved precipitate has similar composition with electrolytic slimes while in the second case it is close to commercial-grade PGM concentrate.

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