Nickel and cobalt are indispensable to Europe’s clean energy transition. Demand for both metals is rising sharply as electric mobility and renewable energy storage expand, with projections showing that nickel demand for batteries could quadruple by 2050. Recognizing this, the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act calls for at least 10% of key raw materials to be mined within Europe, alongside stronger domestic processing and recycling capacities.

Greece holds a unique position in this landscape. It is the only EU country with significant lateritic nickel reserves, historically exploited by LARCO through pyrometallurgical processes. However, decades of mining have reduced ore grades, making traditional methods less viable. Today, hydrometallurgical technologies such as high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) and heap leaching present more efficient and sustainable alternatives. These methods not only extract nickel from lower-grade ores but also enable recovery of cobalt—and potentially manganese—critical metals for advanced battery chemistries.

If developed, Greek laterites could yield around 17,000 tons of nickel and 1,500 tons of cobalt annually, covering roughly 10% of Europe’s needs for battery materials. This potential directly supports EU goals for supply chain resilience while reducing dependence on imports from outside the Union.

The Horizon Europe ENICON project is designed to explore and advance precisely these solutions. By developing innovative processing technologies and assessing their environmental, economic, and industrial feasibility, ENICON aims to unlock Europe’s nickel resources in a sustainable way. Greek laterites stand as a prime example of how regional deposits can be transformed into strategic assets, reinforcing Europe’s autonomy in the green transition.

Read the full article, written by Dr Stylianos Tampouris from the ENICON partner organization, LARCO.