This, the 3rd International Symposium on Processing of Nickel Ores & Concentrates (Nickel Processing '12), was organised by Minerals Engineering International and sponsored by Nalco Africa.

Nickel-bearing ores are seldom in the league of mega-tonnage such as occur in the porphyry copper deposits. The scale and life-of-mine of nickel operations are thus much more limited, and one has to maximize the asset worth by processing efficiency rather than volume. Whereas the nickel market has started to stabilize after the recession of 2008/9, it will be a while before we see the record highs of a few years ago when the metal price peaked at $25/lb. Although nickel operations are often complemented by other payable metals such as copper and the platinum-group elements, under the current market conditions, every gain that can be sustainably made on recovery and grade enhances the business case. It is intended that the conference will attract contributions from experts around the world, to provide a forum for discussion of common problems and possible performance opportunities.

The aim of this conference was to bring together researchers and plant operators, to discuss all aspects of the physical and chemical processing of nickel ores, copper-nickel ores and laterites, and nickel concentrates, including: Froth Flotation and other beneficiation methods Bio and Hydrometallurgy Pyrometallurgy Environmental aspects of nickel processing and smelting

Delegates at a previous conference

Keynote Lecture

The keynote lecture “Hydro-Pyro Integration in the processing of Nickel Laterites” authored by Anne Oxley (Alyssum Ventures Ltd, UK) Dr Nic Barcza (Metallurgical Engineering Consultant, South Africa) was presented by Anne Oxley, who has over 20 years’ experience in the oil, gas and minerals industries.

She began her career working for various large engineering companies as a metallurgist and later a project engineer. In 2003 Anne joined European Nickel PLC in Turkey as the metallurgical manager; she has been the driving force behind the development of nickel laterite heap leaching. She built and managed the Çalda demonstration plant and led the metallurgical teams in the Çalda and Acoje feasibility studies. In 2006 Anne became ENs Group Technology Manager responsible for oversight of all technical work worldwide.

In November 2010 Anne left European Nickel to co-found Alyssum Ventures Ltd to further develop and commercialise nickel laterite heap leaching. Anne is Technical Director and an executive member of the AVL Board, she is also director of several other companies.

Anne is also a scientific associate of the Natural History Museum in London.

Past Conferences

Click to view the conference report, programme and delegate list from Nickel Processing 05 and '10:

• Nickel Processing '10: Report ¦ Programme ¦ Delegate List
• Nickel Processing '05: Report ¦ Programme ¦ Delegate List

"Small conference [Nickel Processing 05] - big impact"
Dr. Michael King, Director, Metallurgical Technology, Falconbridge Ltd, Canada

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