What is the chemical formula for limonite?

What is the difference between limonite and saprolite?

Saprolite-type ore characterized by high magnesia and silica contents is treated by pyrometallurgy process. On the other hand, limonite-type ore is subjected to hydrometallurgy process to produce nickel products.

What is saprolite ore?

Saprolite is a chemically weathered rock. Deep weathering causes the formation of many secondary and supergene ores – bauxite, iron ores, saprolitic gold, supergene copper, uranium and heavy minerals in residual accumulations.

How are limonite and saprolite ores classified?

To read the full-text of this research, you can request a copy directly from the authors. Nickel laterite ore is classified into two principal ore types: saprolite (silicate ore) and limonite (oxide ore). Saprolite-type ore characterized by high magnesia and silica contents is treated by pyrometallurgy process.

Why are limonite and saprolite used in hydrometallurgy?

It is therefore required that separation of saprilite-type ore to use nickel laterite ore as a raw material for hydrometallurgy process. In this study, separation of sparolite-type ore and limonite-type ore from nickel laterite ore from New Caledonia has been tried by dry classification.

Which is the correct formula for limonite iron ore?

Limonite (/ ˈ l aɪ m ə n aɪ t /) is an iron ore consisting of a mixture of hydrated iron(III) oxide-hydroxides in varying composition. The generic formula is frequently written as FeO(OH)· n H 2 O, although this is not entirely accurate as the ratio of oxide to hydroxide can vary quite widely.

What kind of rock does saprolite come from?

The nature of the saprolite is influenced by the type of rock from which it develops, and it determines the chemical and physical properties of the associated soils. Saprolite covers are commonly thick on rocks such as granite, granitic gneiss, schists and sandstone, but they are thin over basaltic or mafic rocks.