Middlings Nickel Concentrate
Product Information
INCO Product Identifier: Voisey??s Bay Middlings Nickel Concentrate

WHMIS controlled product: Class D Division 2B; Class E

Material Product Use: Recovery of metal values

Manufacturer: Voisey??s Bay Nickel Company, Suite 700
Blaine Johnston Centre, 10 Fort William Place
Safety St. John??s Newfoundland
A1C 1K4

Hazardous Ingredients
Data Component % wt CAS No. Exposure Limit LD50 (orl, sp) LC50 (inh, sp)
1 mg/m3 as Cu
Chalcopyrite, 1.0-5.0 1308-56-1 Not available Not available
CuFeS2
Sheet 0.2mg/m3 as Ni
Pentlandite (Ni, 50-70 53809-86-2 Not available Not available
Fe)9S8
Pyrrhotite Fen-1 Sn 25-40 1310-50-5 Not available Not available Not available
0.02mg/m3 as Co
Cobalt sulfide 0.5-1.0 7440-48-4 7000 mg/kg (rat) Not available
minerals

Physical Data
Particle size: The 80% passing size of fresh Middlings Nickel Concentrate is
expected to be 30??m based on pilot plant results (range from 10 to
50??m). The Middlings Nickel Concentrate is expected to age and
oxidize during storage and shipping forming agglomerates and
lumps.

Solubility in water: Insoluble

pH: 9.5 ?? 11.0

Appearance in colour: Odourless, grayish, slurry or moist powder

Odour threshold (ppm): Odourless

Corrosiveness to common
metals: Corrosive to aluminum and steel

4.5 ?? 4.9 g/cm3
Specific Gravity:

Physical state: Paste, typically as slurry or filter cake

Moisture: Below bulk TML (Threshold moisture limit) of 9.0%


CDN
Middlings Nickel Concentrate
Updated: 10/06
 Component Boiling Point ( ??C) Melting Point (??C) Molecular wt Specific Gravity
Chalcopyrite, Not available 950 183.51 4.2
CuFeS2
Pentlandite, (Ni, Not available Not available 771.25 4.8
Fe)9S8
Pyrrhotite, Fen-1 Not available Not available 646.6 4.6
Sn
Cobalt, Co 2000 1495 58.9 8.9
INCO
Fire or Explosion Hazard Data

Material Conditions of flammability: Non-flammable under normal conditions

Fire and explosion hazards: Contains sulphides which when dry and exposed to excess heat may
evolve sulphur dioxide

Safety Reactivity Data
Stability: Stable, hazardous polymerization will not occur

Data Incompatibility: Many sulphides react violently and explosively with powerful
oxidizers, evolving SO2
Volatile products given off
at room temperature: None
Sheet Hazardous decomposition
products: SO2 occupational (exposure limit: 2ppm SO2)

Conditions to avoid: Heat, ignition sources.

Toxicological Properties
Pentlandite: Inhalation: The International Agency for Research on Cancer
(IARC) concluded there was sufficient evidence that nickel
compounds are carcinogenic to humans. Intratracheal
instillation of pentlandite (>98% pure) in hamsters did not
produce a significant increase in lung tumors. The pentlandite
remained in the lung nine times longer than the positive
control (Ni3S2), which also did not produce a significant
increase in lung tumours
Chalcopyrite: Significant information specific to chalcopyrite was not found
in the literature.
Pre-existing conditions: Wilson's disease can occur in certain individuals with a rare
inherited metabolic disorder characterized by retention of
excessive amounts of copper in the liver, brain, kidneys and
corneas. These deposits eventually lead to tissue necrosis
and fibrosis, causing a variety of clinical effects, especially
liver (i.e. hepatic) disease and neurologic changes. Wilson's
disease is progressive and, if left untreated, leads to fatal
liver (i.e. hepatic) failure.

Cobalt sulfide minerals:



CDN
Middlings Nickel Concentrate
Updated: 10/06
 Wounds: Single intramuscular injection of cobalt sulfide produced an
increased incidence of tumors in rats. Cobalt metal has a low
oral toxicity. The oral rat LD50 is 7000 mg/kg.
Pyrrhotite: An extensive literature search revealed no toxicological or
health hazard information specific to this material.
Preventative Measures
Steps to be taken if
INCO material is released or spilled: Prevent spread of spill. Wet sweep or scoop up and reuse.
Flush with water. Flush with water into recovery sumps for
recycling and reclaiming. Collection of spill material when dry
may also be made by vacuuming or by wetting prior to
Material sweeping, scooping, etc.

Environmental effects: Specific data unavailable.

Safety Waste disposal method: Wastes and spills are collected and recycled to recover
metal values. Disposal does not occur.

Engineering Controls: Use with adequate ventilation.
Data Eye protection: Safety glasses.

Hand protection: Gloves??neoprene. butyl rubber, natural rubber or leather.

Sheet Respirator type: Under normal circumstances, respiratory protection is
required. Under other circumstances of excess handling,
departmental standards must be consulted.

Precautionary measures: Wash thoroughly after handling.

Other storage conditions: Keep in a moist condition if possible to avoid drying and to
minimize dust generation

Other handling conditions: Wash before eating, smoking or drinking. Avoid inhalation.

First Aid Measures

Skin contact: For skin irritation, flush with plenty of water. For skin rashes,
seek medical attention.

Eye contact: Immediately flush with water for 15 minutes, holding eyelids
open while flushing.

Inhalation: For respiratory tract irritation, remove to fresh air. If
symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Ingestion: Get immediate medical attention.

Preparation Information

Inco Limited, Product Stewardship and Quality
Tel: 416-361-7801
Chemtrec 24 Hr Emergency No. 1-800-424-9300


CDN
Middlings Nickel Concentrate
Updated: 10/06


Copper;iron;sulfane