[SMM investigation] the first quantum intermediate recently delivered to the nickel sulfate plant will increase the supply of nickel sulfate raw materials.

SHFE nickel performed well last week.

According to a report from the Financial Times, a senior government official in Indonesia stated that the country will continue to push forward with its plan to expand nickel production, despite oversupply forcing competitors to close nickel mines. The country's goal is to keep nickel prices low and safeguard the long-term demand for this crucial metal in electric vehicle batteries.

SMM March 18th: On March 18th, the opening price of the main Shanghai nickel contract was 142,030 yuan/ton, and the closing price was 139,950 yuan/ton, a decrease of 1,920 yuan/ton from the closing price of the previous trading day. Intraday trading strengthened compared to the previous trading day, with an increase of 50,346 lots in volume and an increase in open interest of 2,737 lots...

It is estimated that China’s NPI output in March 2024 will be 25,900 in nickel content, down 0.92% MoM. According to SMM research, most domestic producers suffered losses, and some cut productions in February, and may suspend production in March.

Nickel prices continued to rise last week because the approval of nickel ore mining quotas in Indonesia under RKAB was slower than anticipated.

SMM News on March 4th: During the trading session on March 4th, the opening price of the main Shanghai nickel contract was 135,500 yuan/ton, and the closing price was 136,620 yuan/ton, a decrease of 450 yuan/ton from the previous trading day's closing price. Trading during the session was stronger compared to the previous trading day, with an increase in trading volume of 54,103 lots and a decrease in open interest of 1,575 lots.

Metals market: As of midday close, base metals in the domestic market rose almost across the board. Shanghai nickel rose 4.1%, and Shanghai aluminum rose slightly. Shanghai tin fell 1.17%. Shanghai copper, Shanghai zinc and Shanghai lead all rose within 0.3%. The main alumina futures rose 2.08%. The main industrial silicon contract rose 0.6%. The main lithium carbonate futures contract rose 2.72%. The black series is mostly red, and the iron ore rose 0.89%. Thread and hot coil rose slightly, and stainless steel rose 1.34%. In terms of double coke, coking coal fell 0.31% and coke fell 0.21%. In terms of external metals, as of 11:42, LME metals were mixed. London zinc and London nickel rose slightly, London aluminum rose 0.45%, London lead, London tin, and London copper all fell slightly, and the decline was within 0.3%. In terms of precious metals, as of 11:42, COMEX gold rose 0.19%, and COMEX silver fell 0.04%. In terms of domestic precious metals, as of noon close, Shanghai gold fell 0.02%, and Shanghai silver fell 0.42%. Gold prices are set to post weekly gains, supported by a weaker dollar and safe-haven buying this week. Conflict in the Middle East has also boosted gold's safe-haven appeal. In addition, as of noon closing, the main futures of European line container shipping were reported at 2048 points, up 0.5%

China’s rare earth mining and smelting/separation quotas stood at 168,000 mt and 162,000 mt respectively in 2021, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

The average price of Ni 1.5% Philippine laterite nickel ore stood at $82/wmt last week, flat on the week.

This is a roundup of news in the steel industry for last week.