[SMM Summary] Summary of production and sales of Major overseas Nickel miners in the first quarter of 2020

SMM5, 9 May:

Nornickel

In the first quarter of 2020, combined nickel production fell 7 per cent to 52 kt from a year earlier. Production of nickel, the company's own Russian raw material, fell 7 per cent to 51 kt. The decrease is due to the construction of a new chlorine leaching refinery in kola MMC and the establishment of a semi-refining inventory in Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta to ensure uninterrupted production during the break, resulting in the accumulation of work-in-process inventory. As part of a diversified sales strategy for advanced products, production of carbonyl ji nickel increased by 39 per cent to 1.6 kt compared with the same period last year.

"Click to view details: [mine Quarterly report] Nornickel's comprehensive nickel output fell 7% in the first quarter compared with the same period last year.

Glencore

The 122kt of its own nickel production guidance, down 3kt (- 2 per cent) from the previously announced quota production guidance, mainly reflects the mandatory temporary suspension of production in Raglan (Quebec). Production of own nickel was 28200 tons, an increase of 1100 tons (+ 4 per cent) over the first quarter of 2019, reflecting the impact of interruptions in the INO and Koniambo base periods and MurrinMurrin maintenance during the current period.

"Click to view details: [quarterly Bulletin of Mines] Glencore: cut nickel production guidance for the whole year of 2020 to 122kt by 2%

First quantum

In the first quarter, Ravensthorpe completed operational preparations and resumed operations in March 2020. In the first quarter of 2020, crushing, mineral processing, acid production and atmospheric leaching operations were put into use, and the first production of nickel began in late April 2020. Preparation for commissioning of blast furnace the process of high pressure acid leaching is progressing smoothly. The cost in the first quarter of 2020 was $38 million. Ravensthorpe is expected to produce 15000 to 20000 tons of nickel in 2020.

"Click to see details [Quarterly Bulletin] first Quantum: Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine resumes operation expected to produce 15 to 20, 000 tons this year

Eramet

Sales in the first quarter of 2020 were 774 million euros, down 11% from the first quarter of 2019, mainly due to sharp falls in manganese ore and ferronickel prices. The mining and metals sector's new operating records for the first quarter show that 918kwmt of nickel was produced and 331kwmt of nickel exports were exported, all of which were sold out in the first quarter of 2020.

"Click to view details [Quarterly Bulletin of Mines] Eramet:2020 Q1 Nickel Mine production increased by 5 per cent year on year to 918 kilotons of wet tons

BHP Billiton

The company's financial position is good, with the support of low-cost operations, the business is flexible and is expected to continue to generate considerable cash flow. In terms of nickel, production increased after the completion of major maintenance activities at the Kwinana refinery and the Kalgoorlie smelter. Due to the major quadrennial shutdown of the Kwinana refinery and the Kalgoorlie smelter and the planned routine maintenance of the concentrator in the fourth quarter of 2019, the output of, Western Nickel (Mar YTD20) decreased by 4 per cent to 56 kt. In the first quarter of 2020, operations returned to full capacity.

"Click to view details [Mining Quarterly report] BHP Billiton: 20900 tons of Q1 nickel production in 2020, an increase of 9% over the same period last year.

South32

In the nine months to March 2020, Cerro Matoso (Cerro Matoso) 's nickel production payable increased by 1 per cent (or 0.4kt) to 30.9 kt as a result of higher plant utilization. Sales fell 2% in the March 2020 quarter.

"Click to view details [Mine Quarterly report] South32: Plant efficiency increases Q1 Nickel Mine output increases by 3%

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