Eni Febriana, a researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), has highlighted the significant potential for the management of nickel ferro slag waste. This waste contains several precious metals with high economic value, making it a valuable resource.
Febriana pointed out that various products can be produced through the utilization of nickel ferro slag, including cement, mineral fibers, glass ceramics, geothermal materials, and other valuable minerals found within the waste.
Currently, nickel ferro slag is primarily used for road construction and mining site backfill or merely stored in designated areas. However, Febriana stressed that simply storing nickel ferro slag poses environmental pollution risks.
She urged companies to adopt sustainable practices for managing nickel ferro slag in line with Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 2/2014, which categorizes nickel ferro slag as reusable waste. By doing so, the waste can be minimized and repurposed into valuable materials.
The management of nickel ferro slag does come with challenges, notably the low content of main metals and valuable metals, such as silicon, magnesium, and calcium.
On the other hand, removing nickel ferro slag from the hazardous waste list presents an opportunity for large-scale utilization and a sustainable approach to waste management.
