In mining, nickel ore is typically categorized into different types based on its composition and processing requirements. Two common terms you might encounter are ROM (Run-of-Mine) nickel ore and coarse nickel ore. Here’s what they mean:
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1. ROM (Run-of-Mine) Nickel Ore
– Refers to the raw, unprocessed ore as it is extracted directly from the mine.
– Contains a mix of nickel-bearing minerals (e.g., pentlandite, garnierite, or lateritic ores) along with waste rock (gangue).
– Particle sizes vary widely, from fine to large chunks.
– Requires further processing (crushing, screening, beneficiation) before smelting or refining.
2. Coarse Nickel Ore
– Typically refers to ROM ore that has undergone primary crushing but is not yet finely ground.
– May be screened to remove very fine particles before further processing (e.g., heap leaching or smelting).
– In lateritic nickel deposits, coarse ore might be directly fed into high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) plants after crushing.
Key Differences:
| Feature | ROM Nickel Ore | Coarse Nickel Ore |
|—————|—————|——————-|
| Processing | Unprocessed | Partially crushed/screened |
| Particle Size | Highly variable | Larger fragments retained |.jpg)
Next Steps | Crushing, beneficiation | Further grinding/leaching |
Mining & Processing Flow:
1. Blasting & Extraction → ROM ore hauled to the plant.
2. Primary Crushing → ROM ore broken into coarse fragments.
3. Screening/Sorting → Coarse ore separated for further treatment (e.g., smelting for sulfides or leaching for laterites).
Would you like details on specific nickel deposit types (sulfide vs. laterite) or processing methods?