Photo Credit Tatyana Makeyeva/Reuters

We are continuing research on this material to clarify the source and supply chain for the Nickel used in the pottery studio. As with many of the heavy metal oxide and carbonates, they are mostly mined and refined for purposes other than studio ceramics. For example Nickel is one of the primary components of the batteries in Electric Vehicles, and is also used widely in surfacing plastics and other materials. The supplier listed on the SDS sheet for Nickel Carbonate provided by Laguna Clay is a German chemical company, specializing in plating.

Laguna purchases Nickel from two different companies, Nickel Carbonate from Attotech in Germany and Foshan Wellhope metals in China.

While we do not yet have a clear picture of the supply chain that brings our Nickel to the studio, we believe the companies that supply metals to Laguna Clay are refining and repackaging high grade Oxides and Carbonates for a range of colorant and surfacing application. They in turn are likely purchasing high grade metals for large mines and refineries on the international market.

Because of its use for electric vehicle batteries Nickel has become is a ket material in reducing global carbon emission, but the mining of Nickel also creates significant environmental damage. In addition to the carbon footprint of mining the refinement process also produces plumes of dust loaded with toxic heavy metals.

Story on environmental toll of Nickel Mining form CBC Radio

And another from the Guardian

Here are goole maps and images of the largest Nickel mines in the world.

Kola MMC Mine, a surface and underground mine situated in Murmansk Oblast, Russia

Sorowako Mina, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Taganito Mine, Surigao del Norte, Philippines