Nickel Laterite Ore Geochemistry and Formation Processes
Summary
Nickel laterite deposits represent a major source of nickel and cobalt, formed by in situ alteration of ultramafic rocks under warm, humid climates. Weathering processes generate a stratified profile comprising a lower saprolite zone rich in secondary hydrous magnesium silicates, an upper limonite zone dominated by iron (oxy)hydroxides and a thin transitional horizon. Progressive leaching of mobile elements such as magnesium and silicon promotes the relative enrichment of less mobile metals, notably nickel and cobalt, which become hosted in secondary minerals including garnierite, lizardite, goethite and manganese oxyhydroxides. Variations in parent-rock composition, landscape evolution and hydrological regimes govern the distribution and grade of laterite ores. Supergene processes drive metal concentration through dissolution–precipitation reactions, while tectonic uplift and palaeoclimatic changes modulate the depth and extent of weathering. Globally, nickel laterites supply approximately half of the world’s nickel production and increasingly underpin stainless-steel and electric-vehicle battery supply chains. Advances in geochemical modelling, mineralogical characterisation and geometallurgical techniques are improving resource estimation, grade control and process optimisation.
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Nickel Laterite Ore Geochemistry and Formation Processes publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in nickel laterite ore geochemistry and formation processes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Laterite: A residual soil horizon formed by intense tropical weathering of ultramafic rocks.
Saprolite: The lower portion of a laterite profile characterised by secondary silicate minerals.
Limonite: The upper iron-rich horizon of a laterite profile composed mainly of iron (oxy)hydroxides.
Garnierite: A collective term for nickel-bearing hydrous magnesium silicate minerals.
Supergene: Pertaining to near-surface weathering processes that enrich and redistribute metals.
References
- Nickel Laterites—Mineralogical Monitoring for Grade Definition and Process Optimization. Minerals (2021).
- Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of the Sta. Cruz Nickel Laterite Deposit, Zambales, Philippines. Minerals (2022).
- Ni-Co Bearing Laterites from Halmahera Island (Indonesia) †. Applied Sciences (2022).
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