Why does nickel processing use higher temperatures than copper processing?

Nickel processing requires higher temperatures than copper processing primarily due to the physical and chemical properties of the ore and the resulting products.

In the production of nickel from sulfide ores, higher smelting temperatures (approximately 1,350 °C) are necessary to produce an artificial nickel-iron sulfide known as matte. Furthermore, converting nickel sulfide directly into metal would require temperatures exceeding 1,600 °C, which is why the process is carefully controlled to produce a matte with a lower melting point instead.1

For laterite ores, the high magnesia content and the liquidus temperature of the furnace products necessitate elevated smelting temperatures, often ranging between 1,360 °C and 1,610 °C. Because of these intense operating requirements, nickel production facilities must utilize specialized high-temperature refractories and extensive cooling systems to protect the furnace linings. While nickel and copper processing share similar equipment and routes, these thermal demands distinguish nickel production as a more heat-intensive process.23