ASIATODAY.ID, BALI – For years, nickel slag has been viewed merely as waste — a grayish-black byproduct from nickel ore processing with little to no economic value. It was mostly used as road base or land filler. But that perception is now changing.
Agus, a researcher at BRIN’s Center for Metallurgy Research, has been exploring the potential of nickel slag and revealed that it actually holds a wealth of untapped benefits.
“In the past, nickel slag was considered useless. However, our latest research shows it has great potential to be reprocessed and reused across various industries,” Agus said on Thursday, November 6, 2025 quoted BRIN.
He explained that nickel slag contains valuable elements such as iron oxide, silica (SiO₂), magnesium (Mg), and rare earth elements (REEs) like lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), neodymium (Nd), and yttrium (Y).
“These metals can be extracted through a pyro-hydrometallurgical process to produce high-value raw materials,” he noted.
The process involves several key stages. First, alkali fusion is carried out using additives to alter the chemical structure of the slag. This is followed by water leaching and dilute acid precipitation to convert silica oxide into pure precipitated silica — even nanosilica. Meanwhile, acid leaching and selective separation can efficiently extract magnesium and rare earth metals.
According to Agus, this initiative is not just about utilizing waste — it’s a strategic step toward smarter and more sustainable resource management. With the right technology, nickel slag can be transformed into a valuable raw material for advanced material industries.
“This research opens a new perspective: nickel slag is no longer a mere industrial residue. It has the potential to support circular economy development, material innovation, and environmental preservation in the future,” Agus explained.
However, he also acknowledged that several challenges remain. These include the need to develop more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly extraction technologies to recover valuable metals and rare earth elements in optimal quantities.
“Further research is needed to optimize industrial-scale processes and ensure that post-extraction residues do not create new environmental issues,” he added.
In the future, nickel slag processing is expected to move toward an integrated utilization model based on zero-waste and circular economy principles. Pyro-hydrometallurgical technology will likely be combined with eco-friendly approaches such as bioleaching and green technologies for more efficient metal recovery.
“With this approach, we can change the way we see nickel slag — from a hazardous waste to a strategic resource that supports the sustainability of the nickel industry and renewable energy development,” Agus concluded. (AT Network)
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