Method for producing hematite for ironmaking

A method for producing hematite for ironmaking, utilizing a leach residue as a raw material, the leach residue being obtained from a hydrometallurgical refining plant where a nickel oxide ore treated by a high pressure acid leach process, the method comprising, in sequence:

• a first separation step of separating the leach residue into an overflow containing hematite and chromite and an underflow containing gypsum by using a wet cyclone under a condition that the wet cyclone is adjusted to have a setting between 1 μm or less and 2 μm or less as a classification particle size for the overflow;
• and then
• a second separation step of separating the hematite and the chromite contained in the overflow using magnetic force having a magnetic field intensity of 5 to 20 [kGauss] by a strong-magnetic-field magnetic separator having a mesh that applies magnetic force to powders when the powders pass through the mesh, thereby producing a hematite cake.