Nickel industry: Heavy metal(loid)s contamination - sources, environmental impacts and recent advances on waste valorization

Technological innovation vs. tightening raw material markets: falling battery costs put at risk

“…These sources can include new mining activities such as greenfield projects (e.g., Central Musgrave project, Australia 55 ) and brownfield expansions (e.g., Sorowako, Indonesia 15 ) mainly for laterite ores, the conversion of lowergrade intermediates (e.g., nickel pig iron, nickel matte 56 ) to battery-grade nickel, the development of untapped geological nickel resources (e.g., manganese nodules from deep sea mining 57,58 ), and the full use of the recycling potential from discarded nickel-containing products 59 . However, regarding the second aspect, for all of these measures substantial advances are indispensable for these activities to become environmentally benign 60,61 , a crucial and urgent task for both academia and industry. In order to mitigate both, nickel-related price and environmental risks, cell manufacturers and automotive producers need to jointly explore alternative, less nickel-reliant development paths.…”

Characterizing the Changes in the Source Apportionment of Metal in Surface Waters by an Integrated Approach

“…Mn is a key raw material and alloy element in the iron and steel industries and currently has no known substitute. In addition, Mn is a key element during the manufacture of dry batteries and other batteries (especially batteries for electric vehicles) and aluminum alloy production (such as beverage cans). , Ni is a key metal used in low-carbon technologies and the production of electric vehicle superalloys, lithium ions, and nickel metal hydride batteries . Saxony is a well-known high-tech industrial base in Germany.…”

“…64,65 Ni is a key metal used in low-carbon technologies and the production of electric vehicle superalloys, lithium ions, and nickel metal hydride batteries. 66 Saxony is a well-known hightech industrial base in Germany. In addition to the automobile industry, the chip manufacturing industry has developed into the second most important industrial branch in Saxony after the automobile industry.…”

Synthesis and characterization of novel solid-supported salicylate-based ionic liquid for adsorptive removal of Pb(ii) and Ni(ii) ions from aqueous solution

“…6 Essentially, the manufacturing of Ni has resulted in the formation of a substantial amount of liquid/solid waste (i.e., slag and leaching residues). 7 Lead (Pb) is yet another heavy metal that is widely employed in a number of industries such as electroplating, painting, steel, batteries, smelting, inorganic fertilisers, and pesticides. 8,9 The use of Pb in industrial operations, similar to the usage of Ni, has resulted in a signicant volume of Pb tainted effluent that could leach into land areas and water bodies.…”