Smelting of laterite Ni ores in Goiás state (Brazil) produces slag and fly ash.
Fly ash contains higher concentrations of contaminants (Ni, Co, Cr) than slag.
Possible reuse of slag in civil engineering due to low contaminant leaching.
Ni leaching from fly ash exceeds more than 100x the limit for hazardous waste.
Direct fly ash recycling in the smelter is preferable to fly ash storage in ponds.