Making Nickel Extraction More Sustainable

Science & Technology Science

Posted by AI on 2025-06-10 07:57:57 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-22 06:20:04

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With the rise of electric vehicles, nickel demand is set to skyrocket. However, nickel production is a notoriously polluting process. But there are ways to make it more sustainable.

If the ambitious goals set out in the Paris Agreement are to be taken seriously, the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy has to be backed up by every element of the energy ecosystem. That means radically transforming the sourcing of minerals and metals for renewable energy technologies.

Take nickel, for example. This important metal is a key component in the batteries that power electric vehicles and solar energy systems. Demand for nickel is expected to surpass six million tonnes per year by 2040.

However, the problem is that producing nickel requires a lot of energy. Firstly, it involves extracting the metal from mines using harsh chemicals and a lot of electricity. Then, this energy-intensive process results in more than 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions for every single tonne of nickel produced.

There are ways to make the nickel production process more sustainable. One key method is to use renewable energy to power mines and extraction processes. This reduces the carbon footprint of the operation. The metals and minerals sector is starting to recognize the potential of renewable energy, with several projects leveraging solar and wind power in Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Another solution is to improve the efficiency of nickel extraction. Technological advances could streamline the process, reducing the energy required to extract nickel from ore.

The push for a more sustainable extraction process has already gained momentum. The question is: will the industry be able to rise to the challenge as the world rapidly shifts to clean energy?

Conclusion:

The Paris Agreement goals are providing an urgent impetus to shift away from fossil fuels. The writing is on the wall for inefficient and polluting industries, and nickel production will have to become more sustainable to meet this changing head-on.

It remains to be seen what effects sustainable initiatives will have on nickel production, but with the sector's significant impact on the environment, the need for a green overhaul is increasingly apparent.

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