Process information
| Key Data Set Information | |
| Location | GS-CN |
| Reference year | 2018 |
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| Use advice for data set | When integrating this dataset into a Life Cycle Assessment, special consideration should be given to the geographic specificity of the nickel-copper-cobalt ore originating from Xinjiang Province, as the environmental impacts may differ significantly from other regions. Users should also consider the upstream impacts of mining and concentration, as well as the downstream effects on recycling and waste treatment associated with this production process. Exclusion criteria must be defined clearly to avoid double-counting, especially when considering the potential for closed-loop recycling within the nickel industry. |
| Technical purpose of product or process | The high nickel matte production process described involves the utilization of nickel-copper mixed concentrates through pyrometallurgical methods. This high-grade nickel product is primarily used in the manufacturing of stainless steel, rechargeable batteries, and special alloys. It plays a critical role in the production of materials that demand corrosion resistance and high-temperature performance. |
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| General comment on data set | The system boundary of the electrolytic nickel production was established via a cradle-to-gate approach. Three stages, namely, the mining and beneficiation stages, the pyrometallurgical stage, and the refining stage, were investigated. |
| Copyright | No |
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| Technology description including background system | Given the complexity of geology and resource features, the cemented backfilling method was applied to extract nickel raw ore during mining, and the selected filling material and adhesive were tailings and cement, respectively. Underground construction machinery (e.g., rock drill, slag-raking machine, electric locomotive, and harvesters) and ground construction machinery (e.g., tower crane, electric welding machine, and truck) were used in the mining process. For the beneficiation process, nickel ore was processed by jaw crushers, a circular vibrating screen, ball mills, a flotation machine and a thickener to obtain the mixed nickel–copper concentrate with a nickel content of approximately 8.6%. Subsequently, the concentrate was processed at the pyrometallurgical stage, and then nickel was enriched into high nickel matte using flash smelting technology. At this stage, the mixed concentrate was first smelted in a flash furnace to produce a low nickel matte, and then the converter blew the low nickel matte into high nickel matte and slag. The slag was placed in an electric cleaning furnace to generate low nickel matte and then the resultant material was put again in the converter. |
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Modelling and validation
Administrative information
Inputs and Outputs