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Nickel

Nickel is a silvery-white metallic element and critical industrial commodity used primarily in stainless steel production, battery manufacturing and metal alloys. The metal accounts for approximately two-thirds of global nickel consumption through its role in stainless steel, where it imparts corrosion resistance and strength. Nickel is increasingly significant in the energy transition as a key component in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, particularly in nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and nickel-cobalt-aluminium (NCA) cathode chemistries. Major nickel-producing countries include Indonesia, the Philippines, Russia, New Caledonia and Australia, with Indonesia dominating global supply through laterite ore deposits. The metal is extracted through mining of sulphide and laterite ores, followed by various refining processes including pyrometallurgical smelting, hydrometallurgical leaching and electrorefining to produce refined nickel suitable for industrial use. Nickel prices are traded on the London Metal Exchange and are subject to volatility driven by stainless steel demand from China, battery sector growth and supply constraints. The metal is classified as a critical mineral by several jurisdictions, including the United States and the European Union, owing to its strategic importance in clean energy technologies and industrial applications. Demand for high-purity nickel suitable for battery applications is projected to grow substantially as electrification accelerates, prompting investment in new refining capacity and technologies. Nickel was first isolated as a pure element in the eighteenth century and has been commercially produced since the nineteenth century, with large-scale industrial use expanding alongside stainless steel development in the early twentieth century.

Nickel News


UN ECA executive secretary Claver Gatete
SADC can be a testing ground for turning African minerals into development – UN ECA
14th August 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Demand for critical energy transition minerals, including cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium, manganese, nickel, platinum group metals (PGMs) and rare earth elements, could more than triple by 2030... 


An image of copper
BMI expects metals complex performance to remain strong
14th August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The metals complex has remained well-supported so far this month, extending the upward momentum from late June, BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, points out. It explains that this is underpinned by a... 


Sherritt's nickel and cobalt refinery in Alberta
Sherritt posts first losses from Cuba disruptions
13th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Embattled nickel and cobalt refiner Sherritt International Corporation has started feeling the effects of US sanctions imposed on Cuba earlier this year and the company subsequently stopping mining... 


Sherritt signage
Consortium of Sherritt shareholders, potential investors suggest new recapitalisation plan
11th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Embattled nickel and cobalt refiner Sherritt International Corporation has confirmed receipt of an unsolicited, non-binding proposal from a consortium comprised of Kyma Capital, Glencore and a US... 


Rare earths material in hand
Indonesia says mineral export resume after delays over rare-earth testing
7th August 2026 By: Reuters

Exports of Indonesian mineral products have resumed after delays linked to testing for rare-earth element contents, with shipments of alumina hydroxide and alumina oxide leaving from West... 


LOcation map of the Sakatti project
Sakatti copper and polymetallic project, Finland – update
7th August 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Prefeasibility studies are ongoing. 


Image of Platreef mine underground
Platreef palladium/rhodium/nickel/platinum/copper/gold project, South Africa – update
7th August 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Ivanhoe Mine has also reported that Japanese consortium shareholder ITC Platinum has committed to fund its proportionate share of the Phase 2 expansion. 


Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto
Subianto's radical commodity export plan for Indonesia faces dueling visions
6th August 2026 By: Bloomberg

More than two months after President Prabowo Subianto unveiled plans to take control of Indonesia’s top commodity exports, the agency charged with carrying out the proposal is caught between... 


The Kabanga project site
US-backed group favored as investor in Tanzania nickel project
5th August 2026 By: Bloomberg

A US government-backed consortium has been picked as the favored candidate to invest in a large nickel project in Tanzania, as the Trump administration looks to fund new supplies of key metals.... 


Critical minerals
Mining sector not as badly affected by Middle East conflict as first thought, but risks remain
4th August 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Following the release of its mid-year review, global energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac) has highlighted how contained the damage has been in the global mining and metals markets amid... 


A nickel smelter in Indonesia
Indonesia resumes exports of minerals containing rare earth byproducts, official says
3rd August 2026 By: Reuters

Indonesia has resumed exports of minerals that may contain rare earth elements as byproducts, the president's office said on Monday, following complaints from the metals industry about shipment... 


Nickel smelting
Canada Nickel secures federal approval to proceed with its Crawford nickel project
2nd August 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Canada Nickel Company has received a positive decision statement from the country's Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature for its Crawford nickel project, in Ontario, marking the first... 


ARM CEO Phillip Tobias.
ARM highlights value of Bokoni platinum project, restart of nickel mine
31st July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Bokoni and Nkomati are two of African Rainbow Minerals’ (ARM’s) 100%-owned flagship projects that are poised to unlock significant long-term value for ARM and its shareholders, ARM CEO Phillip... 


The Quellaveco mine
Anglo American first-half loss shrinks, lifts dividend as Teck merger awaits approval
30th July 2026 By: Reuters

Anglo American said on Thursday its first-half loss more than halved, raised its dividend and reported further progress on its sweeping restructuring and proposed merger with Teck Resources. The... 


An image of Glencore copper
Glencore reports strong first-half copper production
29th July 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Diversified miner Glencore reported a strong production performance for the first six months of this year, with its key assets largely performing in line with expectations and previously... 


Iron-ore in rail wagons
Commodity trader IXM expands portfolio into iron-ore, sources say
29th July 2026 By: Reuters

Global commodity trader IXM is expanding its portfolio into iron-ore, three people familiar with the matter said, even as near-record-low price volatility of the steelmaking ingredient cuts... 


Rare earth mineral samples
Indonesia seeks to resolve mineral export bottlenecks caused by rare earth content
27th July 2026 By: Reuters

Indonesia's presidential staff office has called for cooperation between government agencies, law enforcement officials and industry to resolve mineral shipment bottlenecks caused by a lack of... 


Technology Minerals secures two-year extension for research permit
Technology Minerals secures two-year extension for research permit
27th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

London-listed Technology Minerals has secured a two-year extension of the St Patrick research permit in northwest Spain. The licence, which includes the historic Aramo mine and is held through the... 


A map indicating the global distribution and regional exposure profile of baseline water stress for mining and metals facilities
Competition for water resources a risk to the global energy transition, warns ICMM
22nd July 2026 By: Chanel de Bruyn

Mining and metals advocacy group the ICMM warns that water availability could, in many regions, act as a constraint on the development of new mines and related facilities, particularly for the... 


Vale's Mutuca iron-ore mine
Vale posts largest second-quarter iron-ore output since 2018
22nd July 2026 By: Reuters

Brazilian miner Vale posted on Tuesday its largest second-quarter output figure since 2018, with production of the steelmaking material rising 0.8% from a year earlier and coming above analysts'... 


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pqt: 0.107s - ct: 0.158s - 275pq - 2rq
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