About our Nickel news
Latest news on Nickel, covering market prices, mining operations, battery demand, stainless steel production, supply chains and investment opportunities.
Nickel, a versatile base metal trading on the London Metal Exchange (LME) at approximately $18,000 per tonne, plays a crucial role in modern manufacturing and emerging green technologies. Major producers include Indonesia, which accounts for over 30% of global production, followed by the Philippines, Russia, and Australia, with mining giants like Vale, Norilsk Nickel, and BHP dominating extraction operations.
The nickel market has experienced significant volatility in recent years, triggered by Indonesia's export bans, Russia-Ukraine tensions affecting Russian supply, and unprecedented price spikes on the LME in March 2022. Current market dynamics are increasingly driven by electric vehicle battery demand, with Class 1 high-purity nickel particularly sought after for its role in cathode production. Meanwhile, environmental regulators are applying greater scrutiny to nickel mining operations, especially in biodiversity-rich regions like Indonesia's Sulawesi.
Beyond industrial applications, nickel represents a livelihood for thousands of communities near mining operations from Sudbury, Canada to Sorowako, Indonesia. Worker safety concerns persist across the sector, while innovations in responsible mining practices aim to reduce environmental impacts. The development of nickel processing facilities closer to extraction sites is creating new employment opportunities in traditionally resource-exporting nations, though concerns about labour conditions remain.
Nickel has been valued for its corrosion-resistant properties since the 19th century, when it became essential for stainless steel production. Its historical price has reflected wider economic cycles, with notable peaks during industrialisation periods. Today, as the world transitions toward renewable energy and electrification, nickel's strategic importance has evolved from purely industrial applications to a critical component in energy storage systems, reflecting changing global priorities.
Our Â鶹´«Ã½ feed on Nickel delivers real-time updates on price movements, mining developments, technological innovations, and market analysis from reliable sources worldwide. Whether you're a commodities trader, industry professional, or investor interested in battery metals and the energy transition, this feed provides comprehensive coverage of all significant developments affecting this increasingly strategic metal.