Garnierite characterisation for open data bases for nickel laterite exploration

In order to develop a mineralogical and chemical database, which will be associated with an on-line-on mine instrument, for nickel mining exploration, several garnierite samples were studied in laboratory. The collected samples are Ni-bearing laterites from New Caledonia and Dominican Republic and are mainly composed of serpentine-like and/or talc-like and/or sepiolite-like phase. These three types of phases are clearly differentiated by X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The presence of Ni within the crystallographic structure of these phases can be observed from the infrared or Raman spectra, where the effect of Mg/Ni substitutions causes shifts in some bands. The relative intensity of these bands can be correlated with the Ni content. These different parameters are a reliable indicator to define the nature of garnierite and to have an indication on the Ni content.