Direct Nickel’s Laterite Processing Method Could Cut Operating Costs in Half

In an interview with ABC News, Direct Nickel technical director Graham Brock said that the company’s method of using nitric acid rather than conventional sulphuric acid extraction methods for nickel laterite deposits is more environmentally friendly and could significantly reduce operational costs for miners.

As quoted in the publication:

Conventional extraction uses sulphuric acid in the treatment plant, however Direct Nickel’s technology uses the lower cost and, the company claims, a more environmentally friendly Nitric acid instead.

Technical director Graham Brock says it’s breakthrough technology. He says treatment plants are expected to cost around half that of current HPAL processors and treatment costs would be around $2 to $3 a pound.

Brock told ABC:

[That’s] probably about half or less the capital and about half the operating costs. So we see this very much as breakthrough technology that will in fact change the way nickel laterites are treated.

Click here to read the full ABC article.