Review on the Challenges of Magnesium Removal in Nickel Sulfide Ore Flotation and Advances in Serpentinite Depressor

Nickel is an important raw metal material in industry, which has been identified as a strategic mineral resource by the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources. Nickel sulfide ore accounts for 40% of all nickel ores worldwide. However, magnesium silicate gangue minerals in sulfide nickel ores, particularly serpentine, pose significant challenges to the flotation of nickel sulfide ores. The presence of magnesium silicate gangue leads to a series of issues, including increased energy consumption in subsequent smelting processes, accelerated equipment wastage, and increased SO2 emissions, which severely impact the comprehensive utilization of nickel resources in sulfide nickel ores. In this regard, flotation depressants are the most direct and effective method to address these challenges.