In order to develop and utilize laterite nickel ore with abundant reserves and low price, by changing the proportion of solid fuel in the upper and lower layer compound, the double-layer sintering test of laterite nickel ore is carried out without increasing the total carbon distribution, the sintering performance of the new process and its influence on the granulation performance of the mixture are studied, and the change law of pollutants in the sintering flue gas is analyzed. The results show that double-layer sintering can make the heat distribution of the upper and lower material layers more uniform, reduce the overmelting phenomenon of the lower material layer, improve the granulation effect, enhance the air permeability of the material layer in the sintering process, make the anthracite combustion more sufficient, and greatly improve the sintering performance. Compared with the benchmark test, the yield of the two groups of experimental sinter is increased by 7.99% and 10.40%, respectively, the tumbler strength is increased by 6.77% and 5.34%, respectively, the utilization coefficient is increased by 0.29 and 0.20 t/(m²·h), respectively, the solid fuel consumption is decreased by 15.80 and 22.59 kg/t, respectively, and the sinter performance is greatly improved. Double-layer sintering helps to reduce pollutant emissions, among which NO_x and SO₂ emissions are reduced by 31.14% and 61.35%, which is conducive to environmental protection.