Exclusive: China’s refined nickel output shrank 11.63% on the month to 13,000 mt in January

SHANGHAI, Feb 8 (SMM)—China’s refined nickel output shrank 11.63% from December and 10.17% from a year earlier, to 13,000 mt in January. Gansu smelter and Xinjiang smelter were still in operation in January, producing 12,000 mt and 981 mt of refined nickel respectively, while other smelters continued to suspend their refined nickel production lines, putting raw materials into nickel sulphate production.

SMM expects China’s refined nickel output to fall to 12,000 mt in February 2021 due to shorter operating days of the month. Jinlin smelter plans to resume refined nickel production in March, with monthly output of 500 mt. Shortages of overseas feedstock and cash flow issues are likely to keep other smelters suspended.