Ion Exchange: An Alternative Method for High-Grade Nickel Products

Ion exchange (IX) demonstrates strong potential as an alternative method for nickel recovery from iron-free pregnant leach solution (PLS) in nickel hydrometallurgy process. Offering high selectivity, operational simplicity, and lower energy consumption, IX provides significant advantages over conventional multi-stage alkaline precipitation.

Indoterra Metallurgy Solutions has piloted the technology in both fresh water and saline water media, successfully concentrating dissolved nickel from 1.2–1.7 g/L in feed to 40–45 g/L in product solution, while removing impurities such as Mg, Mn, Al, Na, Cl, and Zn. The resulting high-purity solution is suitable for direct processing via crystallization, alkaline precipitation, or electrowinning to produce NiSO₄ crystals, high-grade MHP (~51% Ni), or Ni cathode.