Vale Base Metals (VBM) has been awarded $500,000 in provincial funding to advance a refining process used in nickel production at its Copper Cliff refinery.
Provided by the Ontario Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF), the money will go toward research and development of a next-generation carbonyl reactor, which is used to produce “one of the purest forms of nickel available,” according to the company.
“One of the things that has always set VBM apart is our innovative approach to mine processing and refining. The carbonyl process is one of the most notable examples of this,” Chris McCleave, Vale Base Metals’ chief technical officer, said in an Oct. 21 news release.
“Carbonyl-refined nickel is used for the most demanding applications in aerospace, defence, and electronics for our key critical mineral clients looking for secure and reliable supply chains. We are grateful to the CMIF for their generous support as we take the carbonyl process to the next stage in its evolution.”
Pioneered by Vale more than 100 years ago, carbonyl refining is described as a complex process that’s still used by only a “handful” of companies today.
Through the process, carbon monoxide is applied at high pressure to impure nickel, creating a reaction that results in a gas. After heat is applied, the gas then decomposes back into a pure form of nickel.
The company said the funding will go toward the design and piloting of a new carbonyl reactor that will expand processing capacity and improve its ability to process battery recycled materials at the Copper Cliff refinery.
“The project will focus on expanding VBM’s capability to process alternative and innovative feedstocks, including those from critical mineral processing plants for electric vehicle batteries, underscoring the company’s efforts to increase circular mining, reduce waste, and grow value,” the company said in the release.
Research and development of the project will take place at Vale Base Metals’ global research centre in Mississauga.