Ferronickel production in Kosova ‐ past performance and new opportunities

The Feronikeli complex, located in Glogovc of Kosova, consists of open cast mines with estimated reserves of 24 Mt of laterite ferronickel ore with an average Ni+Co content of 1.25 %, and a large metallurgical complex with an installed capacity of 12000 t of nickel in ferronickel per year. It began operating in 1984 and was shut down in 1998 due to the armed conflict in Kosova. The installed technology was state‐of‐the‐art at the time and is described in the paper. Past performance technological problems are analysed and solutions are proposed. The main problems during the operation were due to the high sulphur contents of both the heavy oil used as a fuel in the rotary kiln as well as of the Kosova basin lignite used as a reductant in the process. The reconstruction of the plant is an ideal opportunity to upgrade the process in terms of energy efficiency and environmental control. Recommendations for revamp to this effect are formulated.