Indonesia Cuts Base Export Prices of Nickel Ore, Why?

South Africa's African Rainbow Minerals said its board approved a R753 million (about $46 million) restart of the Nkomati open-pit nickel mine in Mpumalanga, the country's only primary nickel operation, which has been on care and maintenance since 2021 on weak prices and rising costs. Plant refurbishment starts in July 2026 with mining due to resume in October, targeting steady-state output of 56,065 tonnes a year of nickel concentrate - a concentrate, not contained-metal, figure. The restart is underpinned by a conditional offtake with Sweden's Boliden, directing units toward European smelting capacity seeking non-Russian supply. ARM took full ownership of Nkomati in July 2025 after Nornickel exited. The board separately approved a R15.2 billion Bokoni PGM redevelopment.

Anglo American reported second-quarter nickel production of 9,100 tonnes, down 4% year on year and flat against Q1 2026, taking H1 output to 18,200 tonnes, 6% below the same period of 2025. The decline reflects planned maintenance at its Brazilian ferronickel operations Barro Alto and Codemin that was brought forward from later in 2026; Barro Alto produced 7,300 tonnes in the quarter at a processed grade of 1.47% Ni. The company expects output at both plants to rise gradually from Q3 and left full-year production and unit cost guidance unchanged. Anglo is still awaiting European Commission antitrust clearance for the sale of the nickel business to MMG Singapore Resources, agreed earlier. Non-Indonesian ferronickel supply continues to contract at the margin.

Nickel Industries said adjusted EBITDA from operations for the June quarter was approximately US$120 million, up from US$86 million a year earlier but down from US$135.6 million in Q1 2026. The split is the notable part: mining contributed about US$46 million, roughly 60% above the US$29 million booked in Q1, while the four RKEF operations contributed about US$60 million after planned maintenance and higher costs. The ASX-listed Indonesian producer is a globally significant NPI and nickel matte supplier and is shifting toward the battery chain via HNC and its 46%-held ENC HPAL project. The quarter reinforces the pattern of ore-side margin capture outpacing RKEF conversion margins. A full quarterly activities report is due on July 29.