Nikellateriiittivarannot

Nikellateriiittivarannot, often referred to as nickel-laterite deposits, represent a significant category of nickel ore. These deposits are formed through the weathering of ultramafic and mafic rocks, such as peridotite and basalt, under tropical or subtropical climatic conditions. The process involves intense rainfall and leaching, which removes soluble elements like silica and magnesium, concentrating less soluble metals, including nickel, cobalt, and iron, in the residual soil layers.

These deposits are typically found near the Earth's surface, making them accessible for open-pit mining. They are broadly classified into two main types: limonite and saprolite. Limonite deposits are characterized by their high iron content and often contain nickel in the form of goethite. Saprolite deposits, on the other hand, are typically richer in magnesium and contain nickel within clay minerals.

The extraction and processing of nickel from laterite ores are generally more complex and energy-intensive compared to sulfide ores. Common methods include atmospheric or high-pressure acid leaching, as well as carbothermal reduction. Despite these challenges, nickel-laterite deposits constitute a substantial portion of the world's known nickel reserves, playing a crucial role in global nickel supply, particularly for the stainless steel industry and increasingly for battery production. Major laterite-rich regions include Indonesia, the Philippines, New Caledonia, Australia, and Cuba.