A method is provided for separating a leach residue from which a hematite-containing material capable of being used as a raw material for ironmaking can be obtained. A method also is provided for producing hematite for ironmaking from the leach residue. The method utilizes a leach residue as a raw material, the leach residue being obtained from a hydrometallurgical refining plant where a nickel oxide ore treated by a high pressure acid leach process. The method includes, in sequence: a separation step of separating the leach residue into an overflow and an underflow with a wet cyclone; and another separation step of separating the separated overflow into a strong magnetic substance and a weak magnetic substance using magnetic force, wherein a strong-magnetic-field magnetic separator is used in the another separation step using the magnetic force.