@inproceedings{36a0479ed49d45b2b78e77842396a40d,
title = "Recent advances in developing tropical nickel agromining",
abstract = "Hyperaccumulator plants can be utilized as {\textquoteleft}metal crops{\textquoteright} in agromining operations. This emerging technology produces {\textquoteleft}bio-ore{\textquoteright} by growing {\textquoteleft}metal crops{\textquoteright} on sub-economic ore materials, such as natural ultramafic soils. In a typical application plant material is periodically harvested, followed by air-drying and incineration to produce the bio-ore intermediate. The bio-ore is of very high grade (>15 wt. % nickel), and of high purity, and may be processed into a number of different products (including nickel metal, nickel-based catalysts and pure nickel salts). Current research efforts from our team focus on Mediterranean climate field trials (Albania, Spain) and tropical climate field trials (Malaysia, Indonesia). Field-scale demonstrations are required to provide evidence of real-life performance and of economic viability. If the trials are successful, agromining may in the near future support local livelihoods with income opportunities as an alternative type of agriculture: to farm nickel.",
keywords = "Agromining, Nickel, Phytomining, Strip-mining, Tropical Ultramafic Soils.",
author = "{van der Ent}, A. and G. Echevarria and P. Erskine",
year = "2016",
language = "English",
series = "IMPC 2016 - 28th International Mineral Processing Congress",
publisher = "Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum",
booktitle = "IMPC 2016 - 28th International Mineral Processing Congress",
address = "Canada",
note = "28th International Mineral Processing Congress, IMPC 2016 ; Conference date: 11-09-2016 Through 15-09-2016",
}