NOUFERROUS METALLURGICAL EQUIPMENT

With the completion and commissioning of Shengtun Mining’s One-Step Nickel Smelting System (NDS) in Fuquan, Guizhou Province, China, the efficient slag dephosphorization has become a key focus of attention. In the field of nickel pyrometallurgy, effectively addressing slag beneficiation to ensure metal recovery rates is one of the core indicators of the advancement of nickel smelting technology. During the initial phase of Shengtun Mining’s project in Guizhou, when the side-blown one-step nickel smelting process was determined, efforts were dedicated to the research and development of slag beneficiation devices and process control technologies that matched the current smelting conditions. After the project’s commissioning, despite significant deviations in the smelting raw materials from the design expectations, such as nickel sulfide concentrate, nickel-containing miscellaneous materials, and low-sulfur nickel alloys with sulfur content below 10%, the production of medium-high nickel matte with a total nickel and copper content greater than 50%~60% was still achieved. The smelting slag, after treatment by the new slag beneficiation device, maintained a nickel content below 0.2%, realizing a significant slag beneficiation effect. This breakthrough in slag beneficiation devices will bring major breakthroughs and opportunities to the global nickel pyrometallurgy industry in terms of shortening the process flow, enhancing the adaptability of system raw materials, and improving metal recovery rates.