Short supplies of nickel concentrate in China to end by 2021

SHANGHAI, Mar 12 (SMM) – Supply shortages of nickel concentrate in China are likely to end by 2021, showed SMM data.  

Global supplies fell in recent years as prices of nickel weakened. The decline in imports of nickel concentrate  led to the subsequent decrease in supplies in 2015-2017. In addition, a major producer of nickel pig iron (NPI) in south China raised its use of nickel concentrate after Indonesia imposed an export ban on nickel ore in 2014.

SMM expects China’s nickel concentrate supplies to grow as new mines in Qinghai province and Russia are set to open in 2020. Imports of nickel ore will also rise in 2018 after Indonesia's export ban eased in 2017. Demand for nickel concentrate will rebound when Indonesia reinstates the ban on nickel ore exports in 2022.

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