NICKEL

Question 1

A versatile and resilient metal, it stands as a fundamental material across various industrial domains due to its unique blend of properties. Predominantly, it is celebrated for its outstanding resistance to corrosion, a characteristic that has cemented its role in enhancing the longevity and reliability of metallic compositions.

Answer 1

Nickel (Ni)

Question 2

__________ are formed through the intensive weathering of ultramafic rocks under tropical or subtropical climates. This process leads to the leaching of silicate minerals, resulting in the enrichment of nickel along with other elements like iron and cobalt in the weathered profile.

Answer 2

Nickel laterite deposits

Question 3

The laterite profile is typically divided into a __________ on top, rich in iron oxides, and a lower _________, rich in magnesium silicate minerals.

Answer 3

Limonite zone; Saprolite zone

Question 4

Laterite zone that generally have higher concentrations of nickel

Answer 4

Saprolite zone

Question 5

__________ form through the segregation of molten metal sulfide within a magma chamber. These deposits are typically found deep underground and are associated with magmatic intrusions of ultramafic or mafic composition.

Answer 5

Nickel sulfide deposits

Question 6

Sulfide ores are generally higher in nickel content compared to laterites and contain valuable by-products such as _____, ______, _______, and _____.

Answer 6

copper, cobalt, platinum group metals, and gold

Question 7

Nickel sulfide ores are easier and cheaper to process than laterite ores, as the nickel can be extracted through ______ and _______ techniques

Answer 7

conventional flotation; smelting

Question 8

_____ and _____ are known for their large sulfide deposits, which have been the backbone of their nickel mining industries for decades.

Answer 8

Canada and Russia

Question 9

The Philippines, in particular, has emerged as a major producer of nickel, especially for the nickel laterite ore demanded by the ____________________ sector.

Answer 9

burgeoning electric vehicle battery

Question 10

The Philippines’ mining sector, historically known for its copper, gold, and silver, gradually recognized the value of nickel ores, particularly in the latter half of the ______________. This transition was fueled by global industrial demands, notably from developed economies seeking to manufacture stainless steel, batteries, and various alloys requiring nickel’s corrosion-resistant properties.

Answer 10

20th century

Question 11

Extracting nickel from laterite ores is energy-intensive and involves complex processing techniques, such as ___________ technology.

Answer 11

High-Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL)

Question 12

____________ are less common than laterite deposits and are typically associated with magmatic processes. These deposits form when magma cools and differentiates, causing sulfur and nickel to combine and crystallize.

Answer 12

Nickel sulfide deposits

Question 13

Location: Labrador, Canada
Establishment: Late 1990s, with commercial production starting in 2005.
Reserves: Originally estimated to contain 32 million tonnes of ore grading 2.8% nickel, 1.6% copper, and 0.12% cobalt.

Answer 13

Voisey’s Bay Nickel Company (VBNC)

Question 14

Location: North Province, New Caledonia
Establishment: Operational since 2014.
Reserves: The deposit is one of the largest in New Caledonia, which holds about 25% of the world’s known nickel resources.

Answer 14

Koniambo Nickel SAS

Question 15

Nickel mining, like other mining activities, poses significant environmental challenges, including _____, _________, and _____.

Answer 15

deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution

Question 16

The regulatory landscape for nickel mining is becoming increasingly complex, with governments worldwide imposing stricter _____________ standards.

Answer 16

Environmental and Social Governance (ESG)