Mineralogical and technological investigations of low-grade serpentinite copper-nickel ores, the Pechenga ore body

The paper presents the investigation results of the material and mineral composition of a new type of sulphide copper-nickel mineralization in the Pechenga ore field represented by lean finely disseminated ores in serpentinized peridotites. The peculiarities of the material composition of ores affecting their processing properties have been identified. Basing on the mineralogical and petrographic research flotation concentration flow sheet has been developed; in locked cycle conditions it helps to obtain copper-nickel concentrate with content of nickel over 4 % with recovery about 60 %.