nickel, mining, production

Nickel

A naturally occurring metallic element, Nickel is a key ingredient in stainless steel, and major component in the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles.

BHP has announced that the Nickel West operations and West Musgrave project (Western Australia Nickel) will be temporarily suspended from October 2024. BHP intends to review the decision to temporarily suspend Western Australia Nickel by February 2027.

What is nickel?

Nickel is a silvery white, naturally occurring metallic element with a light golden tinge. There are two main types of nickel deposits, laterite and sulphide, each requiring a different extraction technique.

Nickel

Stainless steel

Nickel sulphide and laterite ore are used to make nickel metal, predominantly for the production of stainless steel.
Nickel electric vehicles

Electric vehicles

Nickel sulphate is a product of nickel sulphide and laterite ore, and is a key ingredient in the batteries that drive electric vehicles.
Nickel arrows

Versatility

Adding nickel allows stainless steel to become a much more versatile alloy. Because of this, more than two-thirds of all global nickel production is used in stainless steel.

How is nickel used?

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Food and health

Stainless steel produced from nickel is used in a variety of home appliances, kitchen materials and medical instruments.

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Industry

Nickel is used in process plants, oil and gas, power generation and chemical production.

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Architecture

Nickel has many structural applications, like reinforcing concrete.

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Transport

Nickel is a key ingredient in almost every form of transportation. This includes cars, trains and even the aerospace industry.

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Electronics

You’ll find nickel in your everyday electronics including mobile phones, laptops and digital cameras.

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Energy storage

Nickel is a key component in a range of renewable energy storage systems, including Lithium-ion batteries.

Nickel and electric cars

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Batteries

Nickel is essential to the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles.

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The key ingredient

A 60kwh NMC811 battery needs 5kg of cobalt, 5kg of manganese, 6kg of lithium and 39kg of nickel to function.

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Longevity

When a battery has more nickel, a vehicle can operate for longer and drive further.

Where is nickel found?

 

Nickel sulphide deposits can be found all over the world including Western Australia, South Africa, Canada and Russia. Nickel laterite deposits can be found in countries such as Australia, Indonesia, New Caledonia and the Philippines.