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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


Sherritt cobalt and nickel refinery in Alberta
Sherritt appoints finance veteran interim CFO to steer through Cuba challenges
Updated 59 minutes ago By: Marleny Arnoldi

Having warned shareholders of acute financial, legal and operational challenges ahead owing to US sanctions in Cuba last month, TSX-listed Sherritt International Corporation has appointed Fitzroy... 


A shear zone at BWA Group's Aracari project, in Cameroon
Canadian, Cameroon mining investor BWA Group appoints new CEO
Updated 1 hour 20 minutes ago By: Marleny Arnoldi

UK-listed mining investment company BWA Group has promoted nonexecutive director Peter Taylor as CEO effective June 1. Taylor has been a nonexecutive director of BWA Group since August 2024,... 


India flag
India to soon unveil incentives for lithium, nickel processing with $313m outlay, sources say
Updated 2 hours 48 minutes ago By: Reuters

India's federal Ministry of Mines is expected to shortly unveil a policy with incentives to process lithium and nickel with an outlay of around 30-billion rupees ($313.48-million), according to two... 


Weda Bay nickel ore
Eramet halts Weda Bay Nickel production in Indonesia after mining quota runs out
Updated 2 hours 55 minutes ago By: Reuters

The Indonesian unit of French miner Eramet has halted nickel ore production after a government decision to slash its 2026 mining quota by 70% compared to last year left it unable to continue... 


ECA Southern Africa regional director Eunice Kamwendo
UN ECA launches large-scale project to strengthen SADC critical minerals value chains
3rd June 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has launched a €15-million regional project to strengthen environmentally and socially responsible critical minerals value chains across the Southern... 


An image of AVEVA World Milan 2026
AVEVA supports mining, metals companies to meet increasing demand
1st June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Mining and metals companies are working to maximise production and ensure they produce high-quality products with the lowest possible environmental impact and at competitive prices, and industrial... 


Image of raw nickel
Kabanga nickel project, Tanzania – update
29th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Lifezone is continuing with pre-final investment decision and early works activities at Kabanga. 


McCreedy West mine, in Ontario
Magna Mining achieves positive cash margin from Ontario copper mine
28th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed copper and precious metals miner Magna Mining produced 4.1-million copper-equivalent payable pounds in the first quarter of the year, with both tonnage and grades forecast to increase... 


The Grande Côte mineral sands operation
Eramet appoints CFO, partially restarts Senegal mineral sands processing after Feb fire
27th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Diversified metals miner Eramet has appointed Simon Henochsberg to succeed Abel Martins as group CFO and has announced the partial restart of mineral sands processing at its Grande Côte operation,... 


Sherritt's nickel and cobalt operation, in Cuba
Sherritt shares suspended amid Cuba challenges
25th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

The Ontario Securities Commission has issued a failure-to-file cease trade order against TSX-listed Sherritt International Corporation effective May 21, owing to the company’s failure to file its... 


Critical metal MOE plant
Critical metals processing innovator Boston Metal raises another $75m for scaling MOE tech
21st May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

A technology company with ambitions to redefine global metals production, Boston Metal, has raised $75-million to accelerate deployment of its Moltex Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) platform and scale... 


Neodymium material
Ionic partners with refiner Nth Cycle to innovate, decarbonise rare earths refining
21st May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Ionic Rare Earth (IonicRE) has signed a joint development and licensing agreement with US-based Nth Cycle, a critical mineral refining technology company, to enhance end-to-end rare... 


Sherritt operation in Cuba
Sherritt warns of looming acute operational, financial and legal difficulties in Cuba
20th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Canadian mining company Sherritt International Corporation, which is among Cuba’s largest foreign investors, is seeking to take the necessary and most appropriate actions to definitively address... 


URU completes ground-based electromagnetic survey at Zeb project
19th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

London-listed URU Metals has completed the fieldwork component of the ground-based frequency-domain electromagnetic (FDEM) survey at the Zeb nickel project, in South Africa. The survey forms part... 


Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking coverage sector lead for mining and critical minerals Rishal Maharaj
Capital discipline will shape mining’s next winners
15th May 2026 By: Mariaan Webb

As mining companies benefit from strong commodity prices and robust cash flows, a familiar challenge is resurfacing: how to allocate capital at the top of the cycle. Rishal Maharaj, coverage... 


Aerial view of the Platreef Mine site, showing the existing surface infrastructure, as well as an outline of the locations for the future Phase 2 and 3 concentrators, adjacent to the current Phase 1 concentrator
Platreef palladium/rhodium/nickel/platinum/copper/gold project, South Africa – update
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Construction of Shaft 3, and its associated underground materials-handling and crushing infrastructure, is in the final stages of commissioning.  


Weir positioned to respond to Botswana mining ecosystem
15th May 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

As Botswana’s mining sector continues to diversify, there are significant opportunities to support more efficient, resilient and sustainable mining operations, reports manufacturer of mining... 


An image of Patrycja Kula-Verster
Attracting junior- focused capital
15th May 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

The junior mining sector in South Africa is well equipped with resources, knowledge and skills to place the mining sector on an upward trajectory to again become a leading player in the supply of... 


An image of mine personnel on site
Fund de-risks activities, supports longevity
15th May 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

Eligible South African junior miners can access funding through the Junior Mining Exploration Fund (JMEF) to de-risk early-stage exploration projects. Increased exploration activity will help to... 


An image of the Kabanga project site
Critical minerals mine inching towards construction
15th May 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

The completion of a feasibility study on the Kabanga nickel project, in Tanzania, in July 2025 was a “defining moment” for the project owner, modern metals developer Lifezone Metals, and for the... 


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pqt: 0.095s - ct: 1.61s - 275pq - 2rq
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