Nickel mine production

Table 3. World Nickel Mine Production and Prices ...

Total world mine production of nickel is projected to increase steadily from 7500 metric tons in 1900 to 2 million tons by 2000 (Table 6.2). In 1980, nickel mine production in the United States was 14,500 tons or about 1.8% of the world total (Kasprzak 1987). In 1986, primary nickel production ceased in the United States. Secondary nickel production from scrap became a major source of nickel for industrial applications (USPHS 1993). In 1988, the United States imported 186,000 tons of primary nickel Canada supplied 58% of the total and Norway 14% (USPHS 1993). In 1990, Canada produced 196,606 metric tons of nickel. About 63% of the total production was exported, mostly (56%) to the United States (Chau and Kulikovsky-Cordeiro 1995). 

Iridium occurs uncombined in nature with platinum and other metals of this family in alluvial deposits. It is recovered as a by-product from the nickel mining industry. 

The trends in total world mine production rates from 1987 to 1992 are evident in Table 3. An 8-yr averaging shows ca 2% growth in annual consumption. The average price of nickel has varied from year to year the actual price more than doubled from 1985 to 1988. However, third quarter 1993 prices dropped below mid-1980 prices to < 4.50/kg. Based on the 1992 world nickel consumption level of 813,900 t and the average annual London Metal Exchange (LME) nickel price, the 1992 monetary value for the nickel mining and refining industry would be approximately 6 x 10 . ... 

Year World mine production, nickel content, t X 10 Average annual price, /kg Average constant price, /kg... 

The world economic (proven) nickel reserves are estimated at 47.0 x 10 t. At the 1992 world rate of mine production, these reserves would be expected to last at least until the year 2050. If, however, annual mine production increases at a rate that reflects a predicted increase in the world primary nickel consumption of 2% annually, these reserves would be depleted before 2030 (6,8,9). 

Cobalt. There is no U.S. mine production of cobalt. Refining of imported nickel—cobalt mattes has not occurred since the mid-1980s. About 1600 t of secondary cobalt was recycled from scrap by 13 faciUties in the United States representing - 22% of total U.S. consumption. The price of the metal was around 44/kg. Most is imported from Zaire and Zambia. Increasing quantities are coming from Russia. Historically, the price of cobalt has been quite volatile and dependent on the pohtical environment in those countries. Cobalt is used in superaHoys, 40% catalysts, 14% paint driers, 11% magnetic alloys, 10% and cemented carbides and other uses, 16%. 

Sulfate, halide, and carbonate minerals form in mine waste as a result of chemical weathering reactions and as a by-product of mineral processing. The formation of carbonate minerals is of particular interest for its potential in offsetting greenhouse gas emissions associated with mining. We have documented secondary carbonate mineral precipitation at the Mount Keith Nickel Mine (Western Australia) and the... 

Platinum is the 75th most abundant element and, unlike many elements, is found in its pure elemental form in nature, as are deposits of silver and gold. Platinum is widely distributed over the Earth and is mined mainly in the Ural Mountains in Russia and in South Africa, Alaska, the western United States, Columbia in South America, and Ontario in Canada. When found in the mineral sperryhte (PtAs ), it is dissolved with aqua regia to form a precipitate called sponge that is then converted into platinum metal. It is also recovered as a by-product of nickel mining, mainly in Ontario, Canada. 

Occupational exposure to nickel will be highest for those involved in production, processing, and use of nickel. The numbers of people in the United States employed in nickel mines, smelters, and refineries... 

Following the announcement of upgrade of mineral resources in 2010 Talvivaara announced the plans for expansion of the mine and production up to approximately 100,000 tpa nickel. Further plans are to upgrade the nickel production fi-om nickel sulphide to metallic nickel, where the nickel cathode production would account for a substantial part of the expanded production. The production expansion would also increase the zinc, cobalt, copper and uranium production, where the option is to produce also cobalt cathodes. 

Most cobalt is obtained as a by-product of copper-nickel mining and refining. The nickel content in ores can be 1.5% while the cobalt content is 0.15%. 

South Africa is by far the largest producer of primary (newly mined) PGMs. It suppHed 76% of the platinum used in the West in 1993, and over 50% of all PGMs. South African PGMs are mined as primary product. Other metals such as nickel, copper, and cobalt are by-products. The principal PGM mining houses in South Africa are Anglo American Platinum Corporation (Amplats), Impala Platinum, Lonrho South Africa, and Northam Platinum. 

Nickel. Around 56,000 t of nickel were recycled from scrap in 1994. This is just over one-third of the consumption of the metal. The only mining and smelter in the United States was idle in 1994, although INMETCO (EUwood City, Peimsylvania) was a primary consumer of recyclable metal in the production of stainless steel. Almost one-half of all nickel went into the production of stainless steels with an additional 29% in superaHoys and... 

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