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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


Image of copper ore
McCreedy West mine, Canada
6th November 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

A copper mine in Levack township, within the City of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. 


The Fort Saskatchewan refinery
Sherritt announces temporary layoff of nearly half of its Canadian workforce
5th November 2026 By: Chanel de Bruyn

Nickel and cobalt miner and refiner Sherritt International Corporation will temporarily lay off about 280 employees, representing 47% of its Canadian workforce, as part of ongoing measures to... 


Lithium stockpiles
India approves $297m incentive policy for lithium, nickel processing
5th November 2026 By: Reuters

India's cabinet approved on Wednesday an incentive policy worth 28.14-billion rupees ($297-million) to boost domestic processing of lithium and nickel, the government said in a statement, in a move... 


The Barro Alto nickel mine
MMG extends long-stop date for Anglo American Brazil nickel deal to Dec 31
3rd November 2026 By: Reuters

Hong Kong-listed mining and metals company MMG said on Tuesday that it had agreed with Anglo American to extend the long-stop date for its proposed acquisition of the miner's nickel business in... 


Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Johannesburg Partner and Director Tycho Moencks
Critical mineral security must become a boardroom priority, says BCG
30th October 2026

Critical mineral supply risks are increasing as demand grows, geopolitical tensions intensify and supply chains remain concentrated in a handful of countries, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)... 


Ferrochrome smelting at Lion.
Glencore’s ferrochrome production up
29th October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Glencore’s incremental ferrochrome smelting resumptions has set production of the iron and chromium alloy on an upward path. “We’ve continued the progressive restart of our ferrochrome smelting... 


Centaurus nickel sulphide
Centaurus secures 100% Jaguar nickel production offtake with Glencore, CNGR
28th October 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed nickel producer Centaurus Metals has signed two new binding offtake agreements with diversified miner and trader Glencore and Chinese precursor cathode active material manufacturer CNGR... 


Abandoned mine
Polish investor Virtus sets up shop in Canada to recover base metals from mine dumps
27th October 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Warsaw-listed financial and investment company Virtus Group has set up offices in British Columbia to help recover metals from post-mining and armament waste using a unique technology. The company... 


Huayue Nickel Cobalt plant
Nickel Industries says Indonesia cuts coming as Chinese producers weigh steep reductions
23rd October 2026 By: Reuters

Australia-listed Nickel Industries says nickel producers in the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), a key production base for the metal, will coordinate on output cuts as Chinese operators... 


Molten copper
Sulphuric acid prices due to extend decline in 2027, CRU says
20th October 2026 By: Reuters

Prices of sulphuric acid used to process metals such as copper and nickel are expected to extend their decline next year, consultancy CRU said on Tuesday. Sulphuric acid delivered to top copper... 


Westwin Elements demo nickel plant
High-purity nickel producer Westwin secures extended offtake with Traxys worth $3.9bn
20th October 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

US-based nickel refiner Westwin Elements has announced an amended agreement with metals trader Traxys whereby Westwin may extend its existing feedstock and nickel offtake arrangements with Traxys... 


Chilean copper mine
China resumes sulphuric acid exports to copper king Chile after three-month halt
20th October 2026 By: Reuters

China resumed sulphuric acid exports to Chile in September after a three-month halt, with shipments to the world's largest copper producer accounting for nearly all of the month's exports, customs... 


Raglan mine
Glencore Canada VP awarded for sustainability achievements at Raglan mine
16th October 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Canadian nickel, copper, zinc, cobalt and platinum group metals producer Glencore Canada has confirmed its VP Jean-François Verret received a Canada's Clean50 Award in the primary resources... 


Image of periodic table symbol for nickel
Crawford nickel sulphide project, Canada – update
16th October 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

All primary approvals needed for the Stage 1 development are now in place. 


Atlantic Strategic Minerals' mineral sands operation
Mining investment firm Appian appoints dedicated experts to boost critical minerals portfolio
13th October 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

As investment adviser Appian Capital Advisory builds out its critical minerals portfolio to serve industrial and defence supply chains, the company has established a base in Washington DC, and... 


An image of tin ore
Industrial metals post mixed third-quarter performance, downside risks persist
9th October 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Industrial metals have come under broad pressure in recent weeks, falling 3.3% month-on-month as of October 7, as expectations of a more hawkish US Federal Reserve weighed on sentiment across the... 


Ferroalloys sector balancing geopolitics, tariffs, and the structural path to re-industrialisation
Ferroalloys sector balancing geopolitics, tariffs, and the structural path to re-industrialisation
9th October 2026

South Africa’s critical minerals sector faces a pivotal moment as energy tariff reforms, port efficiency gains, and global policy shifts intersect to shape the future of local beneficiation. The... 


Thakadu IXS-PurePlus Nickel Sulphate Launch
New nickel sulphate product for batteries
9th October 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Battery materials manufacturer Thakadu Battery Materials has announced the launch of IXS-PurePlus, a new nickel sulphate product developed for companies that require cleaner chemistry, tighter... 


Nickel smelter in Indonesia
Indonesia plans to impose a moratorium on new plants making partly processed nickel
7th October 2026 By: Reuters

Indonesia is discussing a plan to impose a moratorium on development of new nickel processing facilities that produce partly processed metals, the senior minister overseeing mining, Bahlil... 


Westwin Elements nickel refinery
Westwin Elements to invest $502m in Mississippi nickel refinery
6th October 2026 By: Reuters

Westwin Elements said on Monday it plans to invest $502-million over five years to build a commercial-scale Class 1 nickel refinery in Natchez, Mississippi, as the US seeks to expand domestic... 


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