A method for producing a metal oxide from a metal salt selected from the group consisting of nickel hydroxide, cobalt hydroxide, mixed nickel-cobalt hydroxide, nickel carbonate, cobalt carbonate, mixed nickel-cobalt carbonate, and combinations thereof, The method comprises providing a mixture of metal salts, mixing the metal salts with a binder selected from the group consisting of inorganic binders, organic binders, and combinations thereof, forming the mixture into a briquette, and calcining the briquette to produce metal oxides. A method for producing metallic nickel or cobalt, comprising providing a metal salt, the metal salt being selected from nickel hydroxide, cobalt hydroxide, mixed nickel hydroxide-cobalt, nickel carbonate, cobalt carbonate and combinations thereof, the metal salt mixing with a binder selected from inorganic binders, organic binders, and combinations thereof to form a mixture, optionally adding water, forming the mixture into a mass, drying the mass, adding an effective reducing amount of coke and/or coal, and direct reduction of the dried agglomerate with an effective amount of heat to produce metallic nickel and/or cobalt. Coke fines may be added to the mixture prior to agglomeration. A mass comprising a metal salt selected from the group consisting of nickel hydroxide, cobalt hydroxide, mixed nickel-cobalt hydroxide, nickel carbonate, cobalt carbonate, mixed nickel-cobalt carbonate, and combinations thereof; and a binder; The binder is selected from inorganic binders, organic binders and combinations thereof.