IN SUMMARY
The paradox at the centre of Indonesia's nickel boom
The paradox at the centre of Indonesia's nickel boom
Indonesia produces more than 60% of the world's nickel, making it indispensable to EV battery supply as cathodes shift toward nickel-rich chemistries. But the route that built that dominance, pyrometallurgical processing of saprolite ore into nickel pig iron and matte, is among the most carbon-intensive in the global mining sector. Minviro's life cycle assessment quantifies that footprint, models how fast Indonesia's reserves are depleting, and shows how far emissions could be cut. The conclusion is stark: without decarbonisation, high-carbon Indonesian nickel risks undermining the very EVs it supplies and losing access to key markets.
Indonesia produces more than 60% of the world's nickel, making it indispensable to EV battery supply as cathodes shift toward nickel-rich chemistries. But the route that built that dominance, pyrometallurgical processing of saprolite ore into nickel pig iron and matte, is among the most carbon-intensive in the global mining sector. Minviro's life cycle assessment quantifies that footprint, models how fast Indonesia's reserves are depleting, and shows how far emissions could be cut. The conclusion is stark: without decarbonisation, high-carbon Indonesian nickel risks undermining the very EVs it supplies and losing access to key markets.
Indonesia produces more than 60% of the world's nickel, making it indispensable to EV battery supply as cathodes shift toward nickel-rich chemistries. But the route that built that dominance, pyrometallurgical processing of saprolite ore into nickel pig iron and matte, is among the most carbon-intensive in the global mining sector. Minviro's life cycle assessment quantifies that footprint, models how fast Indonesia's reserves are depleting, and shows how far emissions could be cut. The conclusion is stark: without decarbonisation, high-carbon Indonesian nickel risks undermining the very EVs it supplies and losing access to key markets.
The footprint is among the highest in nickel. Producing 1 kg of nickel in NPI emits 84 kg CO₂e, rising to 97 kg CO₂e for nickel matte, with over 99% of emissions occurring in pyrometallurgical processing.
The footprint is among the highest in nickel. Producing 1 kg of nickel in NPI emits 84 kg CO₂e, rising to 97 kg CO₂e for nickel matte, with over 99% of emissions occurring in pyrometallurgical processing.
The footprint is among the highest in nickel. Producing 1 kg of nickel in NPI emits 84 kg CO₂e, rising to 97 kg CO₂e for nickel matte, with over 99% of emissions occurring in pyrometallurgical processing.
Coal-fired electricity is the main hotspot. Around half of emissions come from electricity, most of it from captive coal power plants, with process heat and reductants adding roughly 30% and direct process emissions about 10%.
Coal-fired electricity is the main hotspot. Around half of emissions come from electricity, most of it from captive coal power plants, with process heat and reductants adding roughly 30% and direct process emissions about 10%.
Coal-fired electricity is the main hotspot. Around half of emissions come from electricity, most of it from captive coal power plants, with process heat and reductants adding roughly 30% and direct process emissions about 10%.
The decarbonisation opportunity is large. Meeting Indonesia's 30% renewable target by 2030 would cut emissions 17%, full renewable power up to 73%, and combined measures up to 83%.
The decarbonisation opportunity is large. Meeting Indonesia's 30% renewable target by 2030 would cut emissions 17%, full renewable power up to 73%, and combined measures up to 83%.
The decarbonisation opportunity is large. Meeting Indonesia's 30% renewable target by 2030 would cut emissions 17%, full renewable power up to 73%, and combined measures up to 83%.
