China’s Tight Nickel Intermediate Product Supply Likely to Ease with Growing Imports

SHANGHAI, Sep 27 (SMM) – According to customs data, China imported 45,500 mt of nickel hydrometallurgy intermediate products, an increase of 11% month on month. The imports totalled 247,000 mt from January to July, a year-on-year increase of 58%.

The import volume of nickel hydrometallurgy intermediate products from Indonesia was 7,212 mt in August.

The Lygend OBI project continued to yield output, but the production has not reached the full capacity. The Goro project in New Caledonia was resumed, and the imports from New Caledonia increased significantly to 17,200 mt in August.

The imports of the nickel hydrometallurgy intermediate products are expected to keep rising this year. The tight supply of the intermediate products will be eased.