Sustainable Resource Management: The End of Nickel Mining?

As a versatile metal, nickel will experience increased demand in the coming years, with a specific focus on its importance in the battery industry and its role in achieving net-zero emissions. Recognizing the need to ensure sustainable resource management, this study analyses the flow dynamics of ni...

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Main Authors: Kristy Nell (née Campbell), Richard K. Valenta, Gordon Forbes, Mohsen Yahyaei, Hafiz M. A. Ilyas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Recycling
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/9/6/102
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author Kristy Nell (née Campbell)
Richard K. Valenta
Gordon Forbes
Mohsen Yahyaei
Hafiz M. A. Ilyas
author_facet Kristy Nell (née Campbell)
Richard K. Valenta
Gordon Forbes
Mohsen Yahyaei
Hafiz M. A. Ilyas
author_sort Kristy Nell (née Campbell)
collection DOAJ
description As a versatile metal, nickel will experience increased demand in the coming years, with a specific focus on its importance in the battery industry and its role in achieving net-zero emissions. Recognizing the need to ensure sustainable resource management, this study analyses the flow dynamics of nickel’s supply and demand by employing a modelling approach. This is done with a focus on understanding how recycling can contribute to meeting the growing nickel demand. By considering the interaction between mining production, product applications, and recycling rates, this study contributes to a better understanding of the long-term prospects for meeting the nickel demand. It can assist policymakers, industry stakeholders, and investors in making informed decisions regarding resource management and developing sustainable practices in the nickel industry. The results revealed that mining would still play an important role in the supply of nickel for at least the next 40 years. Nickel mining and recycling practices are sufficient to meet future nickel demand if sufficient recycling practices are (rapidly) implemented. Modelling results show that nickel recycling will account for 90% of the total demand (primary nickel mining accounts for the remaining 10%) between the years 2062 and 2096.
format Article
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issn 2313-4321
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publisher MDPI AG
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series Recycling
spelling doaj-art-9db7aca358df46379410d0d5cce169af2025-08-20T02:57:17ZengMDPI AGRecycling2313-43212024-11-019610210.3390/recycling9060102Sustainable Resource Management: The End of Nickel Mining?Kristy Nell (née Campbell)0Richard K. Valenta1Gordon Forbes2Mohsen Yahyaei3Hafiz M. A. Ilyas4Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4068, AustraliaSustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, AustraliaJulius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4068, AustraliaJulius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4068, AustraliaJulius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4068, AustraliaAs a versatile metal, nickel will experience increased demand in the coming years, with a specific focus on its importance in the battery industry and its role in achieving net-zero emissions. Recognizing the need to ensure sustainable resource management, this study analyses the flow dynamics of nickel’s supply and demand by employing a modelling approach. This is done with a focus on understanding how recycling can contribute to meeting the growing nickel demand. By considering the interaction between mining production, product applications, and recycling rates, this study contributes to a better understanding of the long-term prospects for meeting the nickel demand. It can assist policymakers, industry stakeholders, and investors in making informed decisions regarding resource management and developing sustainable practices in the nickel industry. The results revealed that mining would still play an important role in the supply of nickel for at least the next 40 years. Nickel mining and recycling practices are sufficient to meet future nickel demand if sufficient recycling practices are (rapidly) implemented. Modelling results show that nickel recycling will account for 90% of the total demand (primary nickel mining accounts for the remaining 10%) between the years 2062 and 2096.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/9/6/102nickel supply and demandrecyclingsystem dynamicscritical minerals
spellingShingle Kristy Nell (née Campbell)
Richard K. Valenta
Gordon Forbes
Mohsen Yahyaei
Hafiz M. A. Ilyas
Sustainable Resource Management: The End of Nickel Mining?
Recycling
nickel supply and demand
recycling
system dynamics
critical minerals
title Sustainable Resource Management: The End of Nickel Mining?
title_full Sustainable Resource Management: The End of Nickel Mining?
title_fullStr Sustainable Resource Management: The End of Nickel Mining?
title_full_unstemmed Sustainable Resource Management: The End of Nickel Mining?
title_short Sustainable Resource Management: The End of Nickel Mining?
title_sort sustainable resource management the end of nickel mining
topic nickel supply and demand
recycling
system dynamics
critical minerals
url https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/9/6/102
work_keys_str_mv AT kristynellneecampbell sustainableresourcemanagementtheendofnickelmining
AT richardkvalenta sustainableresourcemanagementtheendofnickelmining
AT gordonforbes sustainableresourcemanagementtheendofnickelmining
AT mohsenyahyaei sustainableresourcemanagementtheendofnickelmining
AT hafizmailyas sustainableresourcemanagementtheendofnickelmining