A flowsheet for the recovery of nickel and cobalt from laterite ores was de
veloped. The flowsheet involves acid leaching followed by hydroxide precipi
tation of the metal values and then releaching of the hydroxide cake with a
mmonia. Investigations of the chemistry of extraction of nickel by LIX(R) 8
4-I and a developmental reagent, XI-84-IT, along with the physical properti
es of the organic phases are described. Based on these investigations, sugg
estions with regard to design of a solvent-extraction-plant and operating c
onditions were made.