Nickel Industries, one of the top 10 global nickel producers, revealed its net-zero ambitions during the recent World Climate Action Summit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where the company represented the Indonesian mining sector as one of only two operators from the country.
The company vowed to reduce its carbon intensity by 50% by 2035 and become net zero by 2050.
Managing director Justin Werner said Nickel Industries (NIC) was proudly taking a leadership role in advancing the sustainability of Indonesia’s nickel industry.
“Nickel Industries is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and developing products essential for the global energy transition and the sustainability of our operating environment,” Werner said.
Nickel’s environmental impact
Nickel is a carbon-intensive mineral, vital for the majority of rechargeable battery chemistries.
For every kilogram of nickel produced, about 13 kilograms of carbon emissions are produced on average.
Nickel is often found in low grades, requiring more intensive mining and processing than other purer elements.
Emissions from mining nickel amounted to about 120 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2019, with mining volumes only increasing since.
Global nickel mine production rose 10.9% and 18.6% respectively in 2021 and 2022, and is expected to grow 16.1% in 2023, meaning tackling the emissions of this vital battery metal industry will be central to reigning in global carbon emissions.
Combining several solutions
Nickel Industries believes leveraging new processing technologies is the way toward net-zero nickel mining, specifically the Huayue Nickel Cobalt high pressure acid leach (HPAL) process.
“Each incremental unit of HPAL nickel production decreases Nickel Industries’ carbon intensity, plus we have industry best practice tailings storage via dry-stack storage across our HPAL operations,’’ Werner said.
“We are implementing the most advanced third generation HPAL processes with power consumption 70% lower than other HPAL plants and carbon emissions one-tenth of similar pyrometallurgical plants.
“These and other measures, including the adoption of renewable power sources across NIC’s operation to further de-carbonise puts us on track to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon intensity by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050.”
Nickel Industries is attempting to leverage a combination of innovative processing methods, renewable energy, biofuels for its mining fleet and land rehabilitation through reforestation to achieve its sustainability goals.
“Environmental sustainability is a core part of the Nickel Industries business. The company is committed to seeking zero harm for the environment and establishing a positive legacy in the regions it operates – from exploration to rehabilitation and closure,’’ Werner said.
Having earned several accolades for environmental responsibility including the Green Proper Rating from the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Nickel Industries may be charting a path to a net-zero nickel sector that others can follow.