Antam to Restart Nickel Ore Exports in May after 3-Year Halt

Published: May 3, 2017 09:56
Antam will resume nickel ore exports from May, a company executive said on May 2. The first shipmentis expected at 150,000 tonnes.

SHANGHAI, May 3 (SMM) – Antam will resume nickel ore exports from May, a company executive said on May 2. The first shipment, which is being loaded, is expected at 150,000 tonnes, and to leave for China in early May. 

The shipment will be the company’s first after Indonesia introduced a ban on ore exports three years ago. 

What’s Outlook for Nickel Market after Cut News at Chinese NPI and Stainless Steel Producers? SMM Reports

Indonesia decided to relax its ban early this year, and has given export permission to companies which have smelting capacities in the country. Antam is one of those eligible ones. 

The Indonesian miner has already been allowed to export 2.7 million tonnes of nickel ore over the 12 months from end-March, and also asked for additional export quotas of 3.7 million tonnes of nickel ore over the next year. 

Antam Reports 33 Percent Drop in Ferronickel Output in First Quarter of 2017

According to SMM data, nickel ore inventories at China’s major 7 ports kept growing last week, and medium and high-grade nickel ore prices, for future delivery, were down over the period. 

The article is edited by SMM and is provided for information purpose only. SMM assumes no liability and does not warrant the accuracy, reliability or completeness of information contained or quoted in the article, either express or limited. SMM further disclaims any liability for losses in connection with the information contained or quoted in the article.

For news cooperation, please contact us by email: sallyzhang@smm.cn or service.en@smm.cn.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
High-Grade NPI Smelters Face Profit Pressure Amid Flat Raw Material Prices and Limited Nickel Ore Decline
Apr 3, 2026 19:34
High-Grade NPI Smelters Face Profit Pressure Amid Flat Raw Material Prices and Limited Nickel Ore Decline
Read More
High-Grade NPI Smelters Face Profit Pressure Amid Flat Raw Material Prices and Limited Nickel Ore Decline
High-Grade NPI Smelters Face Profit Pressure Amid Flat Raw Material Prices and Limited Nickel Ore Decline
[SMM Nickel Flash News] Based on the cash cost of high-grade NPI calculated using nickel ore prices from 25 days earlier, profits at high-grade NPI smelters came under pressure during the week, with the sector as a whole remaining in a state of losses or marginal profitability. It is expected that next week, prices of auxiliary materials on the raw material side may remain flat, while the decline in nickel ore prices will likely be limited. High-grade NPI prices will still be under pressure amid back-and-forth negotiations between upstream and downstream, and smelter profits will be unlikely to see any significant improvement.
Apr 3, 2026 19:34
Refined Nickel Prices Decline, High-Grade NPI Discount Narrows; Downward Trend Expected to Continue
Apr 3, 2026 19:31
Refined Nickel Prices Decline, High-Grade NPI Discount Narrows; Downward Trend Expected to Continue
Read More
Refined Nickel Prices Decline, High-Grade NPI Discount Narrows; Downward Trend Expected to Continue
Refined Nickel Prices Decline, High-Grade NPI Discount Narrows; Downward Trend Expected to Continue
[SMM Nickel Flash] This week, the price center of refined nickel moved lower, while high-grade NPI prices remained stable. The average discount of high-grade NPI against refined nickel narrowed to 262.4 yuan/nickel unit. High-grade NPI prices were expected to remain under pressure next week, while refined nickel prices were expected to continue their downward trend. The average discount of high-grade NPI against refined nickel was expected to continue narrowing, and the driver for conversion of NPI to high-grade nickel matte weakened.
Apr 3, 2026 19:31
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Prices Drop, Market Enters Negotiation Phase
Apr 3, 2026 19:30
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Prices Drop, Market Enters Negotiation Phase
Read More
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Prices Drop, Market Enters Negotiation Phase
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Prices Drop, Market Enters Negotiation Phase
[SMM Nickel Flash] The average SMM price of 10-12% high-grade NPI fell WoW by 1 yuan/nickel unit to 1,082.5 yuan/nickel unit (ex-factory, tax included), while the average price of Indonesia's NPI FOB index fell WoW by $0.02/nickel unit to $136.58/nickel unit. The high-grade NPI market generally remained stable, and after the transaction center stabilized, the market entered a state of back-and-forth negotiations between upstream and downstream, with prices under pressure in the short term.
Apr 3, 2026 19:30
Antam to Restart Nickel Ore Exports in May after 3-Year Halt - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)