Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
f8046cad-6b28-4d74-ae1e-8a2568481bde
Materials
Associated ID
77cdd4e8-117e-40dd-8b1d-09af4a204f69
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents a product that is electrolytic nickel, a high-purity end metal product obtained by purifying copper–nickel mixed concentrate and high-grade nickel matte via a full grinding–flotation–electrolysis process. Its core characteristics are distinctive: a silvery-white metallic appearance, excellent mechanical strength, ductility and high chemical stability, and resistance to corrosion and oxidation; it is a basic material and important strategic resource required for the national economy, the national defence industry and scientific and technological development. The upstream and downstream of its industrial chain are closely linked: the upstream core raw materials are copper–nickel mixed concentrate and high-grade nickel matte, and the grinding–flotation–electrolysis process consumes auxiliary materials such as flotation reagents, electrolysis auxiliary materials and acid solutions; the downstream application fields are extensive, with the core use in the steelmaking industry; at the same time, high-purity electrolytic nickel plays an irreplaceable key role in emerging low-carbon frontier technologies such as geothermal-energy development, electrolytic hydrogen storage and power batteries, and can be used to manufacture end products such as power-battery cathode materials and core components of high-end energy-storage equipment; it is the core end product of the nickel-industry value chain. The entire production process focuses on the grinding–flotation–electrolysis stage, with the full process covering the entire high-purity transformation process from the input of copper–nickel mixed concentrate and high-grade nickel matte to the output of the electrolytic-nickel product. The dataset includes the main raw and auxiliary materials, energy and wastes in the production process; infrastructure such as the manufacture of production equipment and plant construction is not included within the boundary of the dataset; the data inventory is formed by merging data from multiple sources.
Activity Description
The entire production process includes the grinding, flotation, and electrolysis processes, covering the full chain from copper-nickel mixed concentrate and high-nickel matte to electrolytic nickel.
Process Description
Nickel is a silver-white metal with good mechanical strength and ductility, high chemical stability, and is not easily corroded and oxidized. It is considered a basic material and an important strategic material necessary for the development of the national economy, defense industry, and science and technology. Nickel metal is mainly used in the steelmaking industry, followed by the alloy field, electroplating field and casting field. At the same time, high-purity metallic nickel also plays an irreplaceable key role in emerging low-carbon cutting-edge technologies such as geothermal energy development, electrolytic hydrogen storage and power batteries.
Time period
2021
2026
Geography
China
Geography comment
Generated by merging multiple data sets in this geographical location.
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
The high nickel matte grinding and flotation electrolysis method means that high nickel matte is ground and flotated to separate copper and nickel and produce secondary nickel concentrate, secondary copper concentrate and alloy. After the nickel concentrate is smelted and cast, the nickel sulfide anode plate is obtained, and finally enters the electrolytic workshop to produce electrolytic nickel. The copper concentrate and alloy are sent to the copper smelting workshop and precious metal plant as by-products for processing respectively.