Exclusive: China's refined nickel output declined 2.25% MoM to 14,300 mt in August

SHANGHAI, Sep 8 (SMM) — China's refined nickel output declined 2.25% or 330 mt from July, but rose 12.94% from a year earlier, to 14,300 mt in August. Output at Gansu smelters shrank 3.85% on the month, while that at Lianning and Shandong smelters was little changed as they kept normal production. Output at Xinjiang smelters jumped 58.9% on the month, recovering to the level in June, as coronavirus-driven restrictions were lifted. Smelters in Tianjin have suspended production since August due to shortage of raw materials, while those in Guangxi continued to halt production.

SMM expects China's refined nickel output to fall to 13,700 mt in September. Maintenance at a Gansu smelter is expected to reduce output by about 1,000-2,000 mt, and scheduled production at Xinjiang smelters will shrink on the month. Smelters in Jilin and Shandong will produce as usual, while those in Tianjin and Guangxi will continue to halt production.