Indigenous Production of Nickel and Cobalt

Abstract

Production of nickel and cobalt in the country has been engaging the attention of the Government of India for more than two decades now. Indigenous production is needed to meet the domestic demand of nickel, cobalt and their compounds worth Rs. 400 million presently being imported 1 as detailed in Table-1. These imports account for nearly 8,000 tonnes of contained nickel most of which is used in stainless steel making. Till recently major requirement has been for unwrought nickel compared to class (II) products like oxide sinters and ferro nickel. The international prices being on the basis of contained nickel2 , the relative domestic demand for pure nickel ( class I and class II ) products fluctuates depending on prevalent duty levies. At present more of ferro nickel and nickel oxide sinters are being consumed compared to the situation a few years ago. However, from the point of view of economics of making nickel bearing alloy steels, while the class (II) products would be cheaper, from the tech-nical point of view, with the advent of carbon bearing charge chrome usage, it is advisable to use carbon free oxide sinters.