The growth in the nickel market and the price increases predicted in 1970 have not mat- erialized. Several plants have been construct- ed, particularly to treat lateritic ores. A spectacular increase in cost of energy and the escalation of capital costs have led to severe economic difficulties on the part of many nickel producers. Several of the nickel prod- ucers joined together to form a Nickel Develop- ment Institute in 1984 with the prime objective of improving nickel markets. Most producers have taken exceptional action to cut overall costs as well as unit costs. Another organiz- ation made up of nickel producers, NiPERA, was established in 1980, to study and take action on problems of nickel in the environment and especially in the workplace._x000D_
Ion exchange, and particularly continuous ion exchange, has been developed into a reli- able commercial unit operation in the last dec- ade. An example of how ion exchange combined with hydrogen reduction can be integrated into a Caron type reduction roast ammonium carbonate leach process for the recovery of nickel from laterites is discussed.