CLEAN NICKEL™

EV battery research focuses on the battery chemistry with different metal mixes, trying to optimize the balance of:

Across these 3 metrics, Nickel performs very well and remains central to the “Battery Metals”.

Not all Nickel is created equal

Nickel Class I are the Sulphides and a group of nickel products comprising electrolytic nickel, powders and briquettes, as well as carbonyl nickel.
Nickel Class II are less pure and comprises nickel pig iron (NPI), a version of nickel created using low-grade laterite ores and ferronickel. These nickel products have a lower nickel content and are used especially in stainless steel production, where stainless steel producers take advantage of the iron content.

The nickel required for EV batteries requires very tight tolerances and only Nickel Class I is currently economic for EV batteries.

Class I Sulphides are found in Canada, Russia and South Africa. Class II Laterite-type (or Oxide-type) resources are found in Indonesia, the Philippines, Brazil, Cuba and New Caledonia.  Australia has both Sulphides and Laterites.  Nine countries account for 75% of Global Nickel Reserves.

The new EV demand for Nickel requires Sulphide PLUS a consideration for the broader impact of the metal being produced.  Pressures on the EV manufacturers forces them to consider more than just quality and cost, but also the “footprint” of what they are buying.

This will develop the Next Class of Nickel, Clean Nickel™.

EVNi believes the market will be short of Nickel Sulphide for the planned EV demand growth and wants to be positioned to produce Clean Nickel™.

Mining

EV Nickel will prioritize high-grade deposits, minimizing impact from the beginning. Material handling will prioritize electric technology, using the Hydro-generated electricity in Northern Ontario. Ideally, underground mineralization will be accessed via electric-powered suspended monorail, which allows steeper incline than traditional ramp access, a lower carbon cost and is proven technology, used around the world.

Processing – Sorting

“Processing- Bioleaching”
Bioleaching is a low-cost process utilizing naturally occurring oxidizing bacteria to extract metals such as nickel and copper.

Transport

EV Nickel will work with customers, to incorporate the lowest-impact means of delivery for the final product.

Waste and Tailings – Carbon Capture

EVNi is evaluating the potential for carbon capture and storage via carbon mineralization in tailings and waste of deposits in the Shaw Dome, reviewing CO2 capture from air as well as from more concentrated streams (e.g. fossil fuel combustion flue gas, direct air capture or the potential off-gassing from bioleaching).

Clean Nickel™ also includes a broader commitment to partnering with stakeholders and this process has already begun, especially with the local First Nations, who have been actively consulted and engaged, before the drill program began.

EV Nickel’s Clean Nickel research involves experts at Canadian laboratories, including the Carbon Mineralization Laboratory at UBC and RPC in New Brunswick. The company’s work is directly inline with the stated goals of the federal and provincial governments’ Critical Metals Strategies and EVNi has already received financial support from both.