Nickel ores

2022-07-15

2023

Occurrence

Nickel ore deposits occur in the Lower Silesian region (map). These are siliceous nickel ores deposits of a saprolite (weathering) type, related to the serpentinized ultramafic rocks (peridotites) of the Paleozoic age. The exploitation of the major nickel ore deposit at Szklary in the vicinities of Ząbkowice Śląskie was phased out in 1983 as uneconomic.

Resources and output

The anticipated economic resources of nickel ores did not changed in 2023. The anticipated economic resources of nickel ores in Poland explored in B and C₁ categories amount to 17.21 million tonnes of ore with a metallic nickel content of 125.0 thousand tonnes (the limiting content of Ni in the deposit is 0.8%). The anticipated sub-economic resources amount to 21.32 million tonnes of ore and 84 thousand tonnes of metallic nickel. The ore resources of the Grochów deposit were classified only as anticipated sub-economic (Table 1).

The prognostic resources of the Ni-layer silicate type ores occurring in small and separate lenses in the Cenozoic serpentinite mantle rocks in the northern, eastern and southern buffer zone of the Sowie Mts. block gneisses (Lower Silesia) are estimated for ca. 25 thousand tonnes*.

Except for the weathering type, nickel is also the co-occurring metal in copper ores in the Fore-Sudetic Monocline (at about 128.16 thousand tonnes; Table 2). In 2023, in the technological processing of copper sulfide ores there were 2,127 tonnes of nickel sulfide recovered.

Table 1. List of nickel ores deposits – thousand tonnes
Table 2. Nickel coexisting in copper ores – – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński, Stanisław Z. Mikulski

* Mikulski S.Z., Sadłowska K., 2020 – ‘Rudy niklu (nickel ores)’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31.12.2018 r.’ (eds. Szamałek K., Szuflicki M., Mizerski W.): 168-173. PIG-PIB, Warszawa [in Polish].

2022

Occurrence

Resources and output

Except for the weathering type, nickel is also the co-occurring metal in copper ores in the Fore-Sudetic Monocline (at about 129.07 thousand tonnes; Table 2). In 2022, in the technological processing of copper sulfide ores there were 2,239 tonnes of nickel sulfide recovered.

Table 1. List of nickel ores deposits – thousand tonnes
Table 2. Nickel coexisting in copper ores – – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński, Stanisław Z. Mikulski

2021

Occurrence

Resources and output

The anticipated economic resources of nickel ores did not changed in 2021. The anticipated economic resources of nickel ores in Poland explored in B and C₁ categories amount to 17.21 million tonnes of ore with a metallic nickel content of 125.0 thousand tonnes (the limiting content of Ni in the deposit is 0.8%). The anticipated sub-economic resources amount to 21.32 million tonnes of ore and 84 thousand tonnes of metallic nickel. The ore resources of the Grochów deposit were classified only as anticipated sub-economic (Table 1).

Except for the weathering type, nickel is also the co-occurring metal in copper ores in the Fore-Sudetic Monocline (at about 102.45 thusand tonnes; Table 2). In 2021 the processing of copper sulfide ores gave 1,973 tonnes of nickel sulfides.

Table 1. List of nickel ores deposits – thousand tonnes
Table 2. Nickel coexisting in copper ores – – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Agnieszka Malon, Marcin Tymiński, Stanisław Z. Mikulski

2020

Occurrence

Resources and output

The anticipated economic resources of nickel ores did not changed in 2020. The anticipated economic resources explored in B and C₁ categories amount to 17.21 million tonnes of ore with a metallic nickel content of 125.0 thousand tonnes (the limiting content of Ni in the deposit is 0.8%). The anticipated sub-economic resources amount to 21.32 million tonnes of ore and 84 thousand tonnes of metallic nickel. The ore resources of Grochów deposit were classified only as anticipated sub-economic (Table 1).

The prognostic resources of the Ni-layer silicate type ores occurring in small and separate lenses in Cenozoic serpentinite weathering-wastes in the northern, eastern and southern buffer zone of the Sowie Mts. block gneisses (Lower Silesia) are estimated for ca. 25 thousand tonnes*.

Except for the weathering type, nickel is also the co-occurring metal in copper ores in the Fore-Sudetic Monocline (at about 102.56 thusand tonnes; Table 2). In 2020 the processing of copper sulfide ores gave 2,058 tonnes of nickel sulfides.

Table 1. List of nickel ores deposits – thousand tonnes
Table 2. Nickel coexisting in copper ores – – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Stanisław Z. Mikulski

2019

Occurrence

Resources and output

The anticipated economic resources of nickel ores did not changed in 2019. The anticipated economic resources explored in B and C₁ categories amount to 17.21 million tonnes of ore with a metallic nickel content of 125.0 thousand tonnes (the limiting content of Ni in the deposit is 0.8%). The anticipated sub-economic resources amount to 21.32 million tonnes of ore and 84 thousand tonnes of metallic nickel. The ore resources of Grochów deposit were classified only as anticipated sub-economic (Table 1).

Nickel is also the co-occurring metal in copper ores in the Fore-Sudetic Monocline. The copper deposits yield about 68.91 thousand tonnes of nickel which is recovered in the technological processes as nickel sulfides. In 2019, the processing of copper sulfide ores gave 1,993 tonnes of nickel sulfides.

Table 1. List of nickel ores deposits – thousand tonnes
Table 2. Nickel coexisting in copper ores – – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Stanisław Z. Mikulski

2018

Anticipated economic resources of nickel ores did not changed in 2018. Anticipated economic resources explored in B and C₁ categories amount to 17.21 million tonnes of ore with a metallic nickel content of 125.0 thousand tonnes (the limiting content of Ni in the deposit is 0.8%). Anticipated sub-economic resources amount to 21.32 million tonnes of ore and 84 thousand tonnes of metallic nickel. The ore resources of Grochów deposit were classified only as anticipated sub-economic (Table 1).

Prognostic resources of the Ni-layer silicate type ores in small and separate lenses in Cenozoic serpentinite weathering-wastes in the northern, eastern and southern buffer zone of the Sowie Mts. block gneisses (Lower Silesia) are estimated for ca. 25 thousand tonnes*.

Nickel is also the accompanying metal occurring in copper ores in the Fore-Sudetic Monocline. The copper deposits yield about 69.92 thousand tonnes of nickel which is recovered in technological processes as nickel sulfides. In 2018, the processing of copper sulfide ores gave 1,732 tonnes of nickel sulfides.

Table 1. List of nickel ores deposits – thousand tonnes
Table 2. Nickel coexisting in copper ores – – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Stanisław Z. Mikulski

*Mikulski S.Z., 2011 – ‘Rudy niklu’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ (ed. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik): 107-109. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2017

Nickel ore deposits occur in the Lower Silesian region (map). These are deposits of nickel oxide ores formed in the result of a serpentinized ultramafic rocks weathering process. The exploitation of the major nickel ore deposit at Szklary in the vicinities of Ząbkowice Śląskie was phased out in 1983 as uneconomic.

Anticipated economic resources of nickel ores did not changed in 2017. Anticipated economic resources (B and C₁ categories) amounted to 17.21 million tonnes of ores with a metallic nickel content of 125.0 thousand tonnes (the limiting content of Ni in the deposit is 0.8%). Anticipated sub-economic resources amounted to 21.32 million tonnes of ore and 84 thousand tonnes of metallic nickel. The ore resources of Grochów deposit were classified as anticipated sub-economic (Table 1).

Prognostic resources of the Ni-layer silicate type ores in small and separate lenses in Cenozoic serpentinite wastes in the northern, eastern and southern buffer zone of the Sowie Mts. block gneisses (Lower Silesia) are estimated for ca. 25 thousand tonnes*.

Nickel is also one of the accompanying metals in copper ores from the Fore-Sudetic Monocline. The copper deposits yield about 70.44 thousand tonnes of nickel which is recovered in technological processes as nickel sulfides. In 2017, the processing of copper sulfide ores gave 1,790 tonnes of nickel sulfides.

Table 1. List of nickel ores deposits – thousand tonnes
Table 2. Nickel coexisting in copper ores – – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Stanisław Z. Mikulski

2016

Nickel ore deposits occur in the Lower Silesian region (map). These are deposits of nickel oxide ores formed in the result of serpentinized ultramafic rocks weathering process. Exploitation of the major nickel ore deposit at Szklary in the vicinities of Ząbkowice Śląskie was phased out in 1983 as uneconomic.

Anticipated economic resources of nickel ores did not changed in 2016. These resources (B and C₁ category) amounted to 17.21 million tonnes of ores with metallic nickel content of 125.0 thousand tonnes (limiting content of Ni in the deposit is 0.8%). Anticipated sub-economic resources amounted to 21.32 million tonnes of ore and 84 thousand tonnes of metallic nickel. The ore resources of Grochów deposit were classified as anticipated sub-economic (table 1).

Prognostic resources of Ni-layer silicate type ores in small and separate lenses in serpentinite waste around the Sowie Mts. block gneisses (Lower Silesia) are estimated for ca. 25 thousand tonnes*.

Nickel is also one of accompanying metals in copper ores from the Fore-Sudetic Monocline. The copper deposits yield about 70.59 thousand tonnes of nickel which is recovered in technological processes as nickel sulfides. In 2016, the processing of copper sulfide ores gave 2,743 tonnes of nickel sulfides

Table 1. List of nickel ores deposits – thousand tonnes
Table 2. Nickel coexisting in copper ores – – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Stanisław Z. Mikulski

2015

Nickel ore deposits occur in the Lower Silesian region (map). These are deposits of nickel oxide ores formed in result of weathering of serpentinized ultramafic rocks. The exploitation of the major nickel ore deposit at Szklary in the vicinities of Ząbkowice Śląskie was phased out in 1983 as uneconomic.

Anticipated economic resources of nickel ores have not changed since 2014. These resources (B and C₁ category) amounted to 17.21 million tonnes of ores with metallic nickel content of 125.0 thousand tonnes (limiting content of Ni in the deposit is 0.8%). The ore resources of the Grochów deposit were classified as anticipated subeconomic (table 1).

Prognostic resources of Ni-layer silicate type ores in small and separate lenses in serpentinite waste around the Sowie Mts. block gneisses (Lower Silesia) are estimated for ca. 25 thousand tonnes*.

Nickel is also one of accompanying metals in copper ores from the Fore-Sudetic Monocline. The copper deposits yield about 71.11 thousand tonnes of nickel which is recovered in technological processes as nickel sulfides. In 2015, the processing of copper sulfide ores gave 2,967 tonnes of nickel sulfides

Table 1. List of nickel ores deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Stanisław Z. Mikulski

2014

The anticipated economic resources of nickel ores increased significantly in 2014 due to the documentation of new Szklary 1 deposit. This deposit was allocated from Szklary-Szklana Góra deposit. Therefore, the anticipated economic resources (B and C₁ category) amounted to 17.21 million tonnes of ores with metallic nickel content of 125.0 thousand tonnes (limiting content of Ni in the deposit is 0.8%). The ore resources of the Grochów deposit were classified as anticipated subeconomic.

Nickel is also one of accompanying metals in copper ores from the Fore-Sudetic Monocline. The copper deposits yield about 64.31 thousand tonnes of nickel which is recovered in technological processes as nickel sulfides. In 2014, the processing of copper sulfide ores gave 2,756 tonnes of nickel sulfides

Prognostic resources of Ni-layer silicate type ores in small and separate lenses in serpentinite waste around the Sowie Mts. Block gneisses (Lower Silesia) are estimated for ca. 25 thousand tonnes⁽¹⁾.

Table 1. List of nickel ores deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Stanisław Z. Mikulski

⁽¹⁾Mikulski S.Z., 2011 – ‘Rudy niklu’. In: ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ (ed. S. Wołkowicz, T. Smakowski, S. Speczik): 107-109. PIG-PIB, Warszawa.

2013

Nickel ore deposits occur in the Lower Silesian region (map). These are deposits of nickel oxide ores formed in result of weathering of serpentinized mafic and ultramafic rocks. Exploitation of the major nickel ore deposit at Szklary in the vicinities of Ząbkowice Śląskie was phased out in 1983 as uneconomic. The remaining anticipated economic resources of that deposit were estimated at 14.64 million tonnes of ores with metallic nickel content of 117.0 thousand tonnes (limiting content of Ni in the deposit is 0.8%). The ore resources of the Grochów deposit were classified as anticipated subeconomic.

Nickel is also one of accompanying metals in copper ores from the Fore-Sudetic Monocline. The copper deposits yield about 56.38 thousand tonnes of nickel which is recovered in technological processes as nickel sulfides. In 2013, the processing of copper sulfide ores gave 2,756 tonnes of nickel sulfides.

Table 1. List of nickel ores deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Stanisław Z. Mikulski

⁽¹⁾ S. Z. Mikulski 2011 – ‘Rudy niklu’ in ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ pod red. S. Wołkowicza, T. Smakowskiego, S. Speczika. PIG-PIB Warszawa

2012

Nickel is also one of accompanying metals in copper ores from the Fore-Sudetic Monocline. The copper deposits yield about 65.36 thousand tonnes of nickel which is recovered in technological processes as nickel sulfides. In 2012, the processing of copper sulfide ores gave 2,600 tonnes of nickel sulfides.

Table 1. List of nickel ores deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Stanisław Z. Mikulski

^(*) S. Z. Mikulski 2011 – ‘Rudy niklu’ w ‘Bilans perspektywicznych zasobów kopalin Polski wg stanu na 31 XII 2009 r.’ pod red. S. Wołkowicza, T. Smakowskiego, S. Speczika. PIG-PIB Warszawa

2011

Nickel is also one of accompanying metals in copper ores from the Fore-Sudetic Monocline. The copper deposits yield about 64.71 thousand tonnes of nickel which is recovered in technological processes as nickel sulfides. In 2011, the processing of copper sulfide ores gave 2,481 tonnes of nickel sulfides.

Table 1. List of nickel ores deposits – thousand tonnes

Prepared by: Stanisław Z. Mikulski