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2026 Vol.63, Issue 2 Preview Page

Research Paper

Study on Sulfuric Acid Roasting-Water Leaching for Nickel Recovery from Low-Grade Domestic Serpentine Ore

국내 저품위 사문석광으로부터 니켈 회수를 위한 황산 배소-수침출 연구

Jiin Lee12
,
Sugyeong Lee2*
,
Joobeom Seo2
,
Taejun Park13
,
Seongsoo Han12*
이 지인12
,
이 수경2*
,
서 주범2
,
박 태준13
,
한 성수12*
1Resource Engineering, University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Korea
2Mineral Processing and Metallurgy Research Center, Resources Utilization Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Daejeon, Korea
3Resources and Materials Research Center, Resources Utilization Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Daejeon, Korea
1과학기술연합대학원대학교 자원공학과
2한국지질자원연구원 자원활용연구본부 자원회수연구센터
3한국지질자원연구원 자원활용연구본부 자원소재연구센터
*Corresponding Author
30 April 2026. pp. 233-244
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Abstract

Korea is entirely dependent on nickel imports, necessitating technologies to utilize domestic nickel ore deposits. This study investigated the selective leaching characteristics of nickel from domestic serpentine-based low-grade nickel ore (Ni: 0.3 wt.%) using a sulfuric acid roasting-water leaching process. The H2SO4-to-solid mass ratio and roasting temperature were the main variables in roasting, whereas pulp density and leaching time were the main variables in water leaching. Analysis of metal leaching behavior revealed optimal conditions: an H2SO4-to-solid mass ratio of 2 g/g and a roasting temperature of 700°C, and a pulp density of 50 g/L with a leaching time of 30 minutes. The results confirmed that roasting temperature is the dominant variable for selective nickel leaching and that a sufficient supply of sulfuric acid, along with appropriate moisture conditions, is essential. These findings demonstrate the applicability of the sulfuric acid roasting-water leaching process to domestic serpentine-based low-grade nickel ore and provide fundamental data for utilizing domestic nickel resources.

Keywords
Nickel
Serpentine
Sulfuric acid roasting
Water leaching

니켈은 국내에서 전량 수입에 의존하고 있어 국내 부존 니켈광 활용 기술이 요구된다. 본 연구에서는 국내 부존 사문석 기반 저품위 니켈광(Ni: 0.3 wt.%)을 대상으로 황산 배소–수침출 공정을 적용하여 니켈의 선택적 침출 특성을 평가하였다. 황산 배소 공정에서는 H2SO4 : Solid 질량비와 배소 온도를, 수침출 공정에서는 광액 농도와 침출 시간을 주요 공정 변수로 설정하였다. 공정 조건 변화에 따른 주요 금속의 침출 거동을 분석한 결과, 황산 배소 공정에서 H2SO4 : Solid 질량비 2 g/g, 700°C의 조건과 수침출 공정에서 광액 농도 50 g/L, 침출 시간 30 분의 조건을 최적 조건으로 도출하였다. 이를 통해 황산 배소 온도가 니켈의 선택적 침출을 지배하는 핵심 변수임을 확인하였고, 충분한 황산 공급과 적절한 수분 조건이 필수적임을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 국내 사문석 기반 저품위 니켈광에 대한 황산 배소–수침출 공정의 적용 가능성을 제시하며, 향후 국내 니켈 자원의 활용에 대한 기초 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

키워드
니켈
사문석
황산 배소
수침출
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국자원공학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Society of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineers
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국자원공학회지
  • Volume : 63
  • No :2
  • Pages :233-244
  • Received Date : 2026-02-10
  • Revised Date : 2026-03-15
  • Accepted Date : 2026-03-18
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.32390/ksmer.2026.63.2.233
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