Why in NEWS
A new hydrogen plasma-based process for extracting nickel offers an 84% cut in CO₂ emissions and 18% more energy efficiency—marking a significant shift toward eco-friendly metallurgy.
Key Concepts
| Concept | Details |
|---|---|
| Nickel | A silvery-white metal essential for clean energy tech like EV batteries. |
| Hydrogen Plasma Extraction | A green method using hydrogen plasma instead of carbon-based reductants. |
| CO₂ Emission Impact | Traditional nickel emits >20 tonnes CO₂ per tonne; this reduces it by 84%. |
| Energy Efficiency | Improves energy usage by 18% over conventional extraction methods. |
News Summary
- Hydrogen-based extraction addresses the carbon intensity of nickel mining.
- Expected nickel demand will exceed 6 million tonnes/year by 2040.
- Clean nickel is crucial to ensure EVs and other tech remain truly sustainable.
Nickel: Key Facts & Features
| Feature | Details |
| Properties | Corrosion-resistant, strong, ductile, tough, recyclable, catalytic use. |
| Abundance | 5th-most common element on Earth; ~80 ppm in Earth’s crust. |
| Occurrence | Found in Earth’s core, meteorites, soil, water; essential for plants. |
| Major Reserve Holders | Australia, USA, Brazil, Canada, China. |
Nickel in India
| Region | Details |
| Sukinda Valley, Odisha | Laterite nickel deposits; not mined from primary sources. |
| East Singhbhum, Jharkhand | Nickel found with copper; recovery only at HCL’s Ghatsila copper smelter. |
| Import Dependency | Entire demand is met via imports. |
Nickel Ores
| Category | Ore Types |
| Sulphide Ores | Pentlandite, Millerite, Gersdorffite |
| Laterite Ores | Garnierite, Nickeliferous limonite, Saprolite |
Applications of Nickel
| Use Case | Sector |
| Stainless Steel | Major application area. |
| Rechargeable Batteries | EVs, smartphones (lithium-ion). |
| Alloys | Aerospace and military equipment. |
| Electroplating & Coinage | Industrial plating, minting. |
| Catalysis | Chemical and petroleum industries. |
In a Nutshell : Mnemonic: “H.E.N.C.H.”
H – Hydrogen Plasma method
E – Energy Efficient (18% better)
N – Nickel Demand Rising (especially for EVs)
C – CO₂ Emissions Cut (by 84%)
H – High-Tech Applications (batteries, alloys, catalysts)
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which of the following nickel ores is a sulphide ore?
a) Garnierite
b) Millerite
c) Nickeliferous limonite
d) Saprolite - India’s current production of nickel comes primarily from:
a) Sukinda Valley mines
b) Primary mining in Rajasthan
c) By-products at HCL’s copper smelter
d) Laterite ores in Karnataka - What percentage of India’s nickel demand is met via imports?
a) 10%
b) 25%
c) 50%
d) 100%
Mains Practice Questions
- Discuss the role of critical minerals like nickel in achieving India’s clean energy goals. (10 marks)
- Evaluate the environmental challenges posed by conventional nickel extraction and how green methods can help. (15 marks)
Answers for Prelims Questions
| Q No. | Answer | Explanation |
| 1 | b | Millerite is a sulphide ore; Garnierite, limonite, and saprolite are laterite ores. |
| 2 | c | Nickel is recovered as a by-product from HCL’s copper smelter at Ghatsila. |
| 3 | d | India currently imports 100% of its primary nickel requirement. |
