HCL inaugurates India’s first nickel production plant
Q. Where has India’s first facility to produce niche metal of LME grade from primary resource been established on 17th August 2016?- Published on 18 Aug 16a. Dumka
b. Bokaro
c. Dhanbad
d. Ghatsila
ANSWER: Ghatsila
HCL or Hindustan Copper Limited has inaugurated the nickel cooper and acid recovery plant at Indian Copper complex in Jharkhand’s Ghatsila.
- This is India’s first facility to produce nickel metal of LME grade from primary resource.
- The Singbhum cooper belt has unique ore characteristics which comprise considerable amount of nickel; HCL has installed technology to increase nickel metal recovery.
- Currently the capacity of the plant is 50 MT per annum given the current production from Surda mines.
- Nickel output is expected to multiply by 8 times after completion of mine expansion projects at Ghatsila.
- Annual demand for pure nickel is around 45,000 MT and its market in India depends on imports.
- Copper is currently recovered from lead electrolyte as liberator cathode has only .50-90 percent copper content and liberator sludge with 50-60 percent copper content.
- The project will replace the process of liberator cell operation with EMEW and APU technology in the refinery.
- This method will utilise eco friendly technology and check pollution.
- It will also eliminate the use of lead and reduce liquid effluent.
- Some of its other benefits are that it will generate 75 percent less solid waste, utilise less energy and provide safe working environment and conserve natural resources.
