Nickel ores and concentrates
HS v2017 Code: 2604
About nickel ores and concentrates
HS code 2604 covers nickel ores and concentrates, a critical raw material for the global metals and manufacturing industries. Nickel is a versatile and durable metal used in a wide range of applications, from stainless steel production to battery manufacturing. The nickel mining and processing industry plays a vital role in supplying the essential materials needed to power modern economies and support sustainable development worldwide.
Production process
Nickel ores and concentrates are produced through mining and mineral processing techniques. The primary production process involves extracting nickel-bearing ores from the earth, crushing and grinding the ore, and then using various separation and concentration methods to isolate the nickel content. Common techniques include flotation, hydrometallurgical, and pyrometallurgical processing to produce nickel concentrates and intermediate products.
Production inputs
The nickel mining and processing industry requires several key inputs, including nickel-bearing ores, mining and mineral processing equipment, energy sources, and water for processing. Significant raw materials include laterite and sulfide ores, which are the primary sources of nickel globally. Specialized machinery, such as crushers, mills, and flotation cells, are essential for extracting and concentrating the nickel content from the ore. The industry also relies on reliable energy supplies, such as electricity and fuel, to power the various stages of production.
Production outputs
The main outputs of the nickel ores and concentrates industry (HS code 2604) are various forms of nickel-rich intermediate products, including nickel matte, nickel oxide sinter, and nickel sulfide concentrates. These outputs are then further processed and refined to produce pure nickel metal, which is a key input for 7202 Ferroalloys, 7501 Nickel mattes, nickel oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy, and 8548 Waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators; spent primary cells, spent primary batteries and spent electric accumulators, among other industries.
Family tree for nickel ores and concentrates
graph LR
A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/26'>26: Ores, slag and ash</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2604'>2604: Nickel ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2601'>2601: Iron ores and concentrates; including roasted iron pyrites</a>"]
A --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2602'>2602: Manganese ores and concentrates, including ferruginous manganese ores and concentrates with a manganese content of 20% or more, calculated on the dry weight</a>"]
A --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2603'>2603: Copper ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2605'>2605: Cobalt ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2606'>2606: Aluminium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2607'>2607: Lead ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> I["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2608'>2608: Zinc ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> J["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2609'>2609: Tin ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2610'>2610: Chromium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2611'>2611: Tungsten ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2612'>2612: Uranium or thorium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> N["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2613'>2613: Molybdenum ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> O["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2614'>2614: Titanium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> P["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2615'>2615: Niobium, tantalum, vanadium or zirconium ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> Q["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2616'>2616: Precious metal ores and concentrates</a>"]
A --> R["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2617'>2617: Ores and concentrates; n.e.c. in heading no. 2601</a>"]
A --> S["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2618'>2618: Granulated slag (slag sand) from the manufacture of iron or steel</a>"]
A --> T["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2619'>2619: Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel</a>"]
A --> U["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2620'>2620: Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel) containing metals, arsenic or their compounds</a>"]
A --> V["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2621'>2621: Slag and ash n.e.c. in chapter 26; including seaweed ash (kelp) and ash and residues from the incineration of municipal waste</a>"]
B --> W["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/260400'>260400: Nickel ores and concentrates</a>"]
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