An alternative to nickel mining: Malaysia cultivates a plant capable of absorbing the metal from the soil

In Malaysia, a team of researchers has begun cultivating a recently discovered plant capable of absorbing very large quantities of the metals essential for the manufacture of batteries used by major car brands.

This plant, called Phyllanthus Rufuschaneyi , was discovered only about ten years ago on the island of Borneo, Malaysia. It is a flowering shrub, sometimes reaching up to six meters in height, with oval and very leathery leaves. Its very rare characteristic is its ability to absorb and accumulate enormous quantities of nickel . This metal is essential for the manufacture of batteries for all electric vehicles.

Nickel is currently extracted from giant mines in Indonesia, the Philippines, and New Caledonia . However, these mines have a significant environmental impact. In some countries, their exploitation contributes to deforestation and causes serious water pollution problems. These consequences are pushing researchers to explore alternative solutions that are less harmful to the areas concerned.

The goal is to move from traditional mining to agromining, by cultivating fields capable of producing nickel. In Malaysia, Nano Malaysia Berhad, an agency attached to the Ministry of Science, has launched the cultivation of Phyllanthus Rufuschaneyi . The plantations are still located on the island of Borneo, at the foot of Mount Kinabalu, in an area whose subsoil is naturally very rich in nickel. The shrubs are grown for about a year and a half, during which time they absorb as much of the nickel contained in the soil as possible through their roots. Then comes the harvest: the branches and leaves are cut and burned. The resulting ashes, rich in nickel, are then processed. It is estimated that one hectare of this plant could recover about 100 kilos of nickel, which can be used in the manufacture of batteries for electric cars . The Malaysian agency plans to sell its first nickel harvest next year.

The researchers are also considering other applications. The plant could be used to recycle used batteries . In this case, the old batteries, still rich in nickel, would be crushed into crumbs and then mixed with soil in Phyllanthus fields. The plant would then act as a natural filter, absorbing the nickel from this mixture, allowing it to be recovered as if it were new.