Abstract: The inhibition mechanism of iron mineral reduction in laterite nickel ore with the addition of sodium sulfate was studied in the paper.It is found that sodium sulfate can change the reduction process of iron mineral,with FeS and aluminosilicates containing iron generated,and make the content of liquid phase in the roasted ore increase.The increase of liquid phase suppresses the coal gasification reaction,weakens the reducing atmosphere,and inhibits the diffusion of reducing gas at the same time,which is adverse to iron mineral reduction.FeS and aluminosilicates wrapping around FeO restrains the reduction of FeO,and aluminosilicates can react with FeO to generate more liquid phase in the inhibition process,leading to a further inhibition of FeO reduction.