Published Resources Details
Conference Paper
- Title
- Feasibility study of the importation of nickel ore for treatment in Queensland
- In
- The Institution of Engineers, Australia National Conference: 1989; Preprints of Papers
- Imprint
- Institution of Engineers, Australia, 1989, pp. 172-185
- Url
- https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.686866626704192
- Abstract
Many Australian resource projects have been initiated to export ore for processing elsewhere. This paper describes the background leading to a study into importing lateritic nickel ore for processing at Yabulu in North Queensland. Also described are the multi-disciplinary feasibility study and aspects of its management. Because of the high moisture content of the ore it was necessary to consider handling it either as a slurry or in solid form. There were many interdependent elements within the overall systems for converting ore in the ground in New Caledonia to nickel product in Australia. A large number of sub-options were compared to identify a small number (in the event 4) of preferred options to be studied in detail. As part of the study, a slurry pilot plant was built and operated on the ore body. Trial mining was carried out and a shipment of ore sent to Yabulu for treatment. Some significant technical areas studied are briefly described including estimation of reserves, stability of the ore as ships cargo, trafficability tests, slurry pilot plant results, and slurry drying tests. Total cost of the investigations was $14 million, and time taken 15 months.