OREANDA-NEWS.  February 12, 2008. In search for a new, environment friendly, resource-saving technology, Ufaleynickel, PLC used the DC furnace operated in its hydrometallurgical processing shop to test the new method for producing ferronickel by smelting the oxidized ore of the Serovsky deposit. The task of this experiment was to study into the possibility of directly producing end product out of ore, with the conversion stage skipped. The conversion of oxidised nickel ores to ferronickel is known to have a few tangible advantages over their smelting to matte, and namely – high nickel extraction value, no noxious emissions, partial use of iron that is contained in ore. The technology utilised to produce that alloy can generally be characterised as well-proven in the steel & iron industry.

Based on the results of the smelting works completed, a plan was prepared on further tests to be carried out on the DC furnace, both including work with the Serovsky ore and smelting other oxidised nickel ores that substantially differ in composition. Here, the roasting of the initial burden is supposed to be made not only in the muffle type furnaces, but also SBZ furnaces. In addition, the results of the work have been used as the backbone in preparing the process regulations to be applied as part of the Serovsky nickel ore conversion processing/economical regulations, which also provide for reducing ore roasting and AC furnace cinder electric smelting. Besides, those were used in the Technical & Economic Assessment to evaluate the efficiency of constructing a new plant and migrating the existing facilities so they receive high-grade ferronickel. The due dates are set at 1st to 2nd quarter of 2009.