Canadian Minerals Yearbook (CMY) - 2008: Nickel
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Prepared by the Minerals and Metals Sector
Natural Resources Canada.
Telephone: 613-947-6580
E-mail: info-mms@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
HIGHLIGHTS
- Canada produced nearly 260 000 t of nickel in concentrates and exported $7.6 billion in nickel products in 2008, down from $11 billion in 2007 when prices were significantly higher.
- Significant worldwide production cutbacks, deteriorating prices, and rising inventories characterized the final four months of 2008.
- The Podolsky mine opened in 2008 and the Bucko Lake mine will open in 2009. Five Ontario nickel mines (Lac des Iles, Lockerby, Redstone, McWatters, and the nickel-producing section of Levack/McCreedy West) closed in 2008; three more (Copper Cliff South, Craig, and Thayer-Lindslay) will close in 2009.
- A recovery in nickel demand depends foremost on the success of governments’ stimulus programs to counteract the economic slowdown. The largest unknown for the nickel market in 2009 may be the outcome of labour negotiations at Vale Inco. A prolonged strike could support nickel prices sufficiently to give financial respite to all nickel producers except Vale Inco’s Sudbury operations.
INTRODUCTION
Already negatively affected by the double-pronged effect of sustained very high prices that prompted substitution while at the same time encouraging new production, nickel demand was further weakened by the worsening world economic situation in the latter half of 2008. The world produced 80 000 t more refined nickel than it used, so stocks built up again. Consequently, with the fall in prices, numerous nickel producers suspended operations in Canada. Companies attempting to bring on stream completely new projects experienced financing difficulties.
World production and use of primary nickel in 2008 amounted to 1.39 Mt and 1.28 Mt, respectively, compared to 1.43 Mt and 1.32 Mt in 2007. Cash settlement nickel prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) averaged US$21 107/t, down from US$37 230/t in 2007.
The following companies incurred significant asset impairment charges on overvalued nickel assets: Vale Inco, US$950 million; Norilsk Nickel, US$4.5 billion; BHP Billiton (Ravensthorpe), US$3.4 billion; and Xstrata (Falcondo), US$455 million.
Nickel industry closures were listed at www.estainlesssteel.com/nickelmineclosures.shtml.
Tables 7, 8, and 9 show production data and should be read in conjunction with the descriptions below. Company names, abbreviations, and web sites are found in Table 2. Data are generally rounded to three significant figures.
CANADIAN DEVELOPMENTS
Canada was the world’s largest exporter of nickel, producing 259 600 t1 of nickel in concentrates in 2008, but using only about 7000 t in manufacturing. Canadian nickel exports in 2008 were $7.5 billion, down from $11 billion in 2007 (Table 1b) due to lower prices. Exports of by-products of nickel production in 2008 (cobalt, copper, and precious metals) were nearly $2 billion.
Two companies, Vale Inco (VI) and The Cobalt Refinery Company (half owned by Sherritt) produced refined nickel at three locations (Figure 1). Even as some mines were closing in the fall, Crowflight prepared to start production in early 2009 at Bucko Lake in Manitoba.
Canadian Producers
Table 3 shows Canadian production data by operation.
VI’s Voisey’s Bay open-pit mine and concentrator in Newfoundland and Labrador sent high-grade nickel concentrate to Thompson and to Boliden’s Harjavalta smelter, sent a nickel-copper concentrate to Sudbury, and sold copper concentrate to third parties. An environmental assessment was completed for the future Long Harbour hydrometallurgical refinery that will process Voisey’s Bay concentrates. The capital cost estimate for the 50 000-t/y nickel refinery was US$2.18 billion. Federal permits for residue storage were still forthcoming at year-end. International Royalty reported that metals in concentrates shipped from Voisey’s Bay amounted to 74 200 t of nickel, 65 957 t of copper, and 3268 t of cobalt.
VI’s six underground mines and one open pit in Sudbury sent 8.2 Mt of ore grading 1.26% Ni and 1.36% Cu to the Clarabelle mill. VI planned a US$1.27 billion project at Clarabelle to increase production and increase recovery by mid-2011. Totten mine development was scheduled for completion before mid-2011; subject to market developments, it will produce 8200 t/y of recoverable nickel plus by-products. VI’s nickel intermediates were refined into high-purity pellets and powder at the Copper Cliff refinery or in Clydach, United Kingdom, using carbonyl technology, and nickel oxide sinter was sold to the stainless steel industry or shipped to refineries in Asia for upgrading into utility nickel.
With falling nickel prices, VI announced a voluntary retirement program and the closure of the Copper Cliff South mine (8000 t/y Ni) effective January 2009. Factors restricting Sudbury’s production (85 300 t of nickel) were mainly caused by smelter problems, but also included a maintenance shut-down in early 2008 and seismic events causing ground control problems.
VI’s two underground mines in Manitoba produced 2.2 Mt grading 1.68% Ni. All ore was concentrated, smelted, and refined at VI’s integrated facility at Thompson. A fire in the concentrator and revert delivery problems at the smelter affected production. A US$113 million automation and modernization program at the refinery was to be completed in early 2011.
Xstrata Nickel (XN) operated five mines, a concentrator, and a smelter in Canada. In Canada, XN produced 51 600 t of nickel in concentrates, including third-party feed and recyclables, and 64 900 t of nickel in matte.
Infrastructure work at the Raglan mine was completed in 2008 to maintain production at 1.3 Mt/y of ore. Ore came from three underground mines and one open pit. If expanded to 1.5 Mt/y, Raglan would produce 30 000-35 000 t/y of recoverable nickel, compared to 25 800 t of nickel in concentrates in 2008.
XN’s Montcalm mine produced 0.95 Mt of ore, of which 0.93 Mt grading 1.2% Ni, 0.65% Cu, and 0.05% Co was processed at the Kidd metallurgical site. Montcalm’s concentrate was sent to Sudbury for smelting.
In November, XN announced the closure of the Thayer-Lindsley and Craig mines in 2009, cutting production by 2700 t and 5500 t of nickel, respectively. In 2009, production will come from the Fraser mine plus the Nickel Rim South (NRS) and Fraser Morgan (FM) mines. NRS and FM are expected to start up in 2009 and to ramp up to full production of 18 000 t and 7200 t of nickel, respectively, in 2010. The US$787 million NRS mine was expected to ramp up to 60% of a design mining rate of 1.25 Mt/y to produce 7400 t of nickel in 2009. NRS’s capacity was put at 20 000 t/y of nickel, 30 000 t/y of copper, and 6.22 t/y of platinum group metals (PGM) and gold.
XN’s Strathcona concentrator handled all of XN’s Sudbury mine ore plus feed from the Lockerby mine and the Shakespeare project. Strathcona produced a bulk nickel-copper concentrate that was sent for smelting at the Sudbury smelter. A separate copper concentrate was sent to the Kidd smelter. XN’s smelter also took concentrate from the Montcalm and Raglan operations, feed from VI, recyclables, and concentrate from XN’s Cosmos operation in Australia. Smelter output in 2008 was 64 900 t of nickel, 17 800 t of copper and 2648 t of cobalt, of which 22 500 t of nickel, 7200 t of copper and 1885 t of cobalt were from third-party feeds. Sudbury matte went to Xstrata’s Norwegian refinery for the recovery of nickel, copper, cobalt, and precious metals.
Sherritt and General Nickel Company owned a nickel-producing joint venture (JV) whose Canadian asset was the Fort Saskatchewan refinery operated by The Cobalt Refinery Company (CRC). A Phase 1 expansion was commissioned that increased CRC’s capacity to 33 500 t/y of nickel and 3500 t/y of copper. Funding for the Phase 2 expansion was suspended and the expansion work force was demobilized. The refinery produced by-product ammonium sulphate in 2008. Sherritt forecast 2009 production at 33 500 t/y of nickel and 3500 t/y of cobalt.
FNX’s two mines in the Levack Complex plus the Podolsky mine, which started up in 2008. and sold ore containing nickel, copper, and precious metals to VI’s Clarabelle concentrator. Because of declining nickel prices, FNX suspended Levack’s nickel ore production and laid off half of its work force.
Low nickel prices shut First Nickel’s Lockerby mine in October after delivery of 0.136 Mt of ore to Strathcona. The mine was put into a care and maintenance status. The pre-feasibility study of Lockerby Depth evaluated an $86 million expenditure to mine at 1200 t/d from a probable mineral reserve of 1.84 Mt grading 1.69% Ni plus by-products using a US$8/lb nickel price. A feasibility study of Lockerby Depth was expected to proceed in 2009.
Liberty Mines started preproduction at its McWatters mine in mid-September, shipping 17 000 t of ore grading 0.55% Ni to the company’s nearby Redstone concentrator. Liberty’s Redstone concentrator milled 51 500 t grading 1.81% Ni with a recovery of 90.8%. Because of low prices and financing problems, the mines and concentrator were put on care and maintenance in October.
North American Palladium sent most of its palladium concentrate, containing by-product nickel, to XN’s Sudbury smelter. Mining additional material to extend the operational life to 2018 was assessed. In October, the company put the open pit, underground mine, and concentrator on care and maintenance and 350 employees were laid off. A detailed feasibility study of re-opening underground operations subsequently began. Work at the Shebandowan West project stopped; plans had been to truck 500-1000 t/d of ore to Lac des Iles for processing.
Selected Canadian Projects
Bactech planned to build a $25 million demonstration bioleach plant to recover 12.4 t/y of silver, 200 t/y of cobalt, and 100 t/y of nickel from 0.2 Mt/y of gold tailings while stabilizing contained arsenic in tailings at Cobalt, Ontario. Bactech applied for provincial and federal grants totaling $12.5 million. The company hoped later to build a 1-Mt/y commercial plant to treat tailings; an estimated 17 Mt of silver tailings are in the area.
Canadian Arrow updated an economic assessment and resource estimate at its Kenbridge property, looking at a $126 million project to produce 32 200 t of nickel in concentrate (with copper and cobalt by-products) over 10 years by mining 9.65 Mt grading 0.46% Ni. Estimated smelting plus refining charges for the 12% concentrate were US$212/t plus US55¢/lb for nickel and US40¢/lb for copper. The company plans to dewater the 620-m shaft for underground drilling in 2009.
Canadian Royalties’ Nunavik project (formerly Raglan South Nickel) was based upon reserves of 11.3 Mt grading 0.97% Ni, 1.13% Cu, 0.05% Co, and 2.4 g/t precious metals in four deposits. A 2007 bankable feasibility study evaluated a US$415 million project producing 75 500 t of nickel in concentrates over nine years starting in 2010. In 2008, Canadian Royalties re-evaluated plans, increasing production from 3500 t/d to 4500 t/d. An Impact and Benefits Agreement with the Makivik was signed in April, and environmental approval and mine leases were received by mid-2008. As credit tightened in August, the company halted work to conserve capital. Construction-in-progress assets were written down by $143 million.
In March, Crowflight received provincial environmental approval for its Bucko Lake project. With delays in federal tailings storage permits, Crowflight received provincial permission for an interim land-based tailings storage facility (ITSF). Estimated project costs including the ITSF and additional expenditures to permit Bucko to increase its operating rate to 1500 t/d thus rose to $86 million. Concentrator commissioning started in September and was 90% completed by year-end. All output will go to XN’s smelter. Reserves at year-end were 3.78 Mt grading 1.25% Ni, with additional measured plus indicated resources of 2.86 Mt grading 1% Ni. Bucko’s average output will be 5035 t/y of payable nickel (based upon 1000 t/d of ore); at 1500 t/d of ore, output would be about 7000 t/y of nickel.
Hard Creek estimated the Turnagain project’s measured plus indicated resources at 577 Mt grading 0.162% Ni in sulphides and 0.010% Co. A US$1.3 billion project, including a pit, a 50 000-t/d concentrator, and a hydrometallurgical plant producing 20 000 t/y of nickel in hydroxide plus cobalt and copper by-products, was evaluated.
Independent Nickel’s pre-feasibility study of Lynn Lake (3000 t/d over 11 years to produce 5080 t/y of nickel and 2800 t/y of copper in concentrates) was completed in late 2007. In August, Victory Nickel launched an unsolicited offer for Independent and by October owned 84%. In December, Independent’s shareholders voted to amalgamate with Victory.
Mustang Minerals’s prefeasibility study of the Maskwa deposit evaluated a 2750-t/d concentrator producing about 4200 t/y of nickel in concentrate from 7.1 Mt grading 0.64% Ni plus copper, cobalt, and precious metals. Concentrate would grade 10.2% Ni, 2.5% Cu, 0.36% Co, 9.8 g/t Pd, 1.5 g/t Pt, 33% S, 35% Fe, and 5.4% MgO.
Noront’s preliminary economic assessment of the Double Eagle property looked at mining 2.97 Mt grading 1.9% Ni, plus copper, cobalt, and precious metals, to recover 41 500 t of nickel plus by-products in nickel and copper concentrates. Estimated preproduction costs were US$155 million, assuming shipment of ore to a third-party concentrator.
Starfield Resources’ Ferguson Lake preliminary assessment examined mine production of 6000 t/d with ore slurried 285 km to Arviat on Hudson Bay, where a two-stage chloride-leach process would recover 12 500 t/y of nickel, 19 800 t/y of copper, and 1315 t/y of cobalt in refined form plus 1.4 Mt/y of H2SO4 and 1.4 Mt/y of hematite. Estimated capital costs were US$1.3 billion, including sustaining and reclamation costs.
URSA Major suspended preproduction mining at its Shakespeare project because of low metal prices. During the year ending January 31, 2009, 83 000 t grading 0.39% Ni plus by-product copper, cobalt, and precious metals were sent to the Strathcona mill.
Victory Nickel’s preliminary economic statement of the Lac Rocher deposit examined mining 0.32 Mt of ore grading 1.57% Ni, plus copper and cobalt, and processing it at the Copper Rand mill to produce concentrate containing 4040 t of nickel plus by-products. Victory Nickel’s metallurgical testing determined that Minago ore could be processed conventionally to produce a concentrate grading 22% Ni.
WORLD REVIEW
Nickel came from three principal sources: sulphide deposits, laterite deposits, and scrap. All Canadian nickel was sourced from sulphide deposits. Laterite deposits result from weathering and the enrichment of ultramafic rocks producing limonites (nickel oxides) and overlying saprolites (nickel silicates). Most sulphides are concentrated, smelted and refined, although hydrometallurgical processing of sulphide ores began in Canada over 50 years ago at Fort Saskatchewan. The limonites were mainly processed by acid or ammonia leaching followed by solvent extraction and reduction. Saprolite ore was mainly sent to ferro-nickel smelters.
See Tables 7 and 8 for world production data.
DEMAND
Over 85% of primary2 nickel worldwide was used in metallurgical applications. The principal uses for primary nickel in 2007 were as described below.
Nickel’s use as an alloying element in stainless steels accounted for 59% of primary nickel used in 2008, or about 760 000 t. Chromium provides the protective oxide layer resisting corrosion in stainless steels, but nickel enhances this resistance under severe operating environments. Typical stainless steel is an austenitic or 300 series containing 8% nickel, but other types (such as the 200 series containing 1-4% nickel) and the 400 series, or ferritic stainless steels (no contained nickel), are increasingly popular. Information about stainless steel applications and specifications was found at www.euro-inox.org. Stainless steel makers can use either primary nickel or nickel in scrap stainless steel; in 2008, about 59% of nickel used in stainless steel came from primary sources, up from 57% in 2007.
The latter half of 2008 saw weakening stainless steel demand affect nickel prices. Stainless steel production in the second half of 2008 fell by 13% compared to the second half of 2007; fourth-quarter production fell 30% compared to the same period in 2007. To illustrate the relationship between nickel prices and stainless steel production, quarterly (year-on-year) changes in crude stainless steel production and quarterly nickel prices are shown in Figure 3.
PRICES AND INVENTORIES
London Metal Exchange (LME) inventories opened at 47 940 t, increased 10% by March, fell to 43 188 t in July, and then steadily increased to 78 390 t at year-end as declining demand encouraged stainless steel producers to shed stocks. Non-LME inventories were 76 000 t at year-end. As inventories rose, nickel prices declined toward historical levels (Figure 4). Prices started the year at US$26 505/t, peaked at US$3300/t in March, declined to US$8810/t in October, and ended the year at US$10 810/t. The LME cash settlement price averaged US$21 107/t (Table 9). Even though not all forms of nickel (e.g., ferro-nickel, utility nickel, nickel in scrap, or NPI) and not all brands of nickel were acceptable for delivery on the LME,3 over 30 Mt of nickel were traded on the LME, compared to total finished nickel production of 1.39 Mt.
REGULATORY ISSUES
Based upon an administrative derogation, the European Union’s classification of nickel carbonate as a category 1 carcinogen and category 2 reproductive toxin was included in the 30th amendment to the Dangerous Substances Directive (DSD) adopted in September. This was used in the classification of many more nickel substances in the DSD’s 31st amendment; it classified over 125 nickel substance entries as category 1 carcinogens. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s validation testing protocol for classification by extrapolation was not completely followed for either the 30th or 31st amendments. Under the Registration Evaluation Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) procedures, the production, use, or import of such nickel compounds may be banned or restricted. Mixtures of materials containing over 0.1% of the listed nickel compounds may also be banned or restricted, thus affecting nickel by-products. The nickel industry’s testing program to provide data for validation testing and to allow industry to classify nickel substances for REACH will be completed in 2010.
OUTLOOK
In October, the International Nickel Study Group (INSG) forecast nickel use at 1.38 Mt in 2008 (1.31 Mt in 2007) and primary production at 1.41 Mt (1.43 Mt in 2007), while anticipating use and production in 2009 at 1.44 Mt and 1.55 Mt, respectively. Subsequently, declining prices forced additional large production cuts and delayed projects, and the magnitude of the world economic problems has been more clearly understood. In its April 2009 meeting, the INSG put 2008 use and production at 1.29 Mt and 1.39 Mt, respectively, and forecast 2009 use and production at 1.18 Mt and 1.26 Mt, respectively.
Nickel markets were hit by double problems in 2008: the world economic troubles, which compounded existing substitution trends initiated in 2006 and 2007 by high nickel prices. Nickel use grew at a rate of 3.63%/y from 1992 to 2007; use in 2008 fell below this trend by 167 000 t, and demand in 2009 may fall about 315 000 t below the trend, approaching the tonnage used in 2002.
Reacting quickly to falling demand and prices, producers closed high-cost operations and delayed the start-up of new projects to mitigate market weakness. A recovery in nickel demand depends foremost upon the success of governments’ stimulus programs to counteract the economic slowdown. With perhaps 250 000 t/y of idled production capacity able to restart on relatively short notice, the world nickel market can respond rapidly to increased demand, thereby constraining significant price increases. As high-cost operations shut down, the cost curve for remaining producers fell. A Brook Hunt cost curve shown in a December 2008 Norilsk presentation4 indicated that about 1.1 Mt of production was profitable at less than US$11 000/t. The two largest unknowns for the nickel market in 2009 are the success of various national governments’ stimulus packages and the outcome of labour negotiations between the United Steelworkers in Sudbury and Vale Inco. A prolonged strike could support nickel prices sufficiently to give financial respite to all nickel producers except VI’s Sudbury operations.
ENDNOTES
1 This figure differs from the preliminary estimate for production of nickel contained in concentrates shown in Table 1a of 260 200 t; Production of Canada’s Leading Minerals, March 2009, shows mine output of 259 600 t of nickel in concentrates produced.
2 Primary nickel has not been used in manufacturing.
3 Acceptable brands listed from the link shown at www.lme.co.uk/6703.asp.
4 Accessed at www.nornik.ru/_upload/listrec_lang/filename_document2_116.pdf.
Notes: (1) For definitions and valuation of mineral production, shipments and trade, please refer to Chapter 58. (2) Information in this review was current as of May 29, 2009. (3) This and other reviews, including previous editions, are available on the Internet at www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/mms-smm/busi-indu/cmy-amc/com-eng.htm.
Note to Readers
The intent of this document is to provide general information and to elicit discussion. It is not intended as a reference, guide or suggestion to be used in trading, investment, or other commercial activities. The author and Natural Resources Canada make no warranty of any kind with respect to the content and accept no liability, either incidental, consequential, financial or otherwise, arising from the use of this document.
| Item No. | Description | Canada | United States | EU | Japan | ||
| MFN | GPT | USA | Canada | Conventional Rate (1) | WTO (2) | ||
| 2604.00 | Nickel ores and concentrates | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| 2620.99 | Slag, ash and residues (other than from the manufacture of iron or steel) containing metals, arsenic or their compounds: other | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| 2825.40 | Hydrazine and hydroxylamine and their inorganic salt; other inorganic bases; other metal oxides, hydroxides and peroxides: nickel oxides and hydroxides | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | 4.8% |
| 2827.35 | Chloride, chloride oxides and chloride hydroxides; bromides and bromide oxides; iodides and iodide oxides: other chlorides: of nickel | 3.5% | 3% | Free | Free | 5.5% | 3.3% |
| 2833.24 | Sulphates; alums; peroxosulphates (persulphates): other sulphates: of nickel | 3% | Free | Free | Free | 5% | 3.9% |
| 3815.11 | Reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations, not elsewhere specified or included: supported catalysts: with nickel or nickel compounds as the active substance | Free | Free | Free | Free | 6.5% | 2.2% |
| 7202.60 | Ferro-alloys: ferro-nickel | 6.5% | Free | Free | Free | Free | 3.3% |
| 7204.21 | Ferrous waste and scrap; remelting scrap ingots of iron or steel: waste and scrap of alloy steel: of stainless steel | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| 7501.00 | Nickel mattes, nickel oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free-3% |
| 7502.10 | Unwrought nickel: nickel, not alloyed | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | 44 yen/kg |
| 7502.20 | Unwrought nickel: nickel alloys | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free-3% |
| 7503 | Nickel waste and scrap | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| 7504 | Nickel powders and flakes | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free-3% |
| 7505.11 | Nickel bars, rods, profiles and wire: bars, rods and profiles: of nickel, not alloyed | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | 3% |
| 7505.12 | Nickel bars, rods, profiles and wire: bars, rods and profiles: of nickel alloys | Free | Free | Free | Free | 2.9% | 3% |
| 7505.21 | Nickel bars, rods, profiles and wire: wire: of nickel, not alloyed | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | 3% |
| 7505.22 | Nickel bars, rods, profiles and wire: wire: of nickel alloys | Free | Free | Free | Free | 2.9% | 3% |
| 7506.00 | Nickel plates, sheets, strip and foil | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free-3.3% | Free-3% |
| 7507.00 | Nickel tubes, pipes, and tube or pipe fittings (for example, couplings, elbows, sleeves) | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free-2.5% | Free-3% |
| 7508.00 | Other articles of nickel | Free-3% | Free | Free | Free | Free | 3% |
Sources: Canadian Customs Tariff, effective January 2009, Canada Border Services Agency; Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, 2009; Official Journal of the European Union (Tariff Information), September 19, 2008 edition; Customs Tariff Schedules of Japan, 2009.
(1) The customs duties applicable to imported goods originating in countries that are Contracting Parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade or with which the European Community has concluded agreements containing the most-favoured nation tariff clause shall be the conventional duties shown in column 3 of the Schedule of Duties. (2) WTO rate is shown; lower tariff rates may apply circumstantially.
Sources: Natural Resources Canada; Statistics Canada.
. . Not available; (p) Preliminary; (r) Revised.
(1) Preliminary data for 2008 mine output were subsequently updated to 259 600 t of nickel in concentrates produced.
(2) The preliminary estimate for total 2008 shipments of recoverable nickel in concentrates was subsequently updated to 250 000 t. (3) The preliminary estimate for refined production in 2008 was subsequently updated to 175 800 t. The updated data for 2008 are contained in Production of Canada's Leading Minerals, March 2009, found at http://mmsd.mms.nrcan.gc.ca/stat-stat/prod-prod/PCLM-PPMC/PDF/MY0903%20(2).pdf.
Note: Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding.
Sources: Natural Resources Canada; Statistics Canada.
– Nil; . . Not available; . . . Amount too small to be expressed; (p) Preliminary.
Note: Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding.
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 (p) | |||||
| (tonnes) | ($000) | (tonnes) | ($000) | (tonnes) | ($000) | ||
| 2604.00.00.20 | Nickel ores and concentrates (nickel content) | ||||||
| Australia (1) | 2 485 | 45 658 | 1 641 | 78 768 | 1 560 | 35 431 | |
| United States | 317 | 197 | – | – | 14 | 268 | |
| Other countries | 2 674 | 68 955 | 3 402 | 145 142 | 31 | 15 | |
| Total | 5 476 | 114 810 | 5 043 | 223 910 | 1 605 | 35 714 | |
| (Note: The United States does not produce and export nickel in concentrate form. The data above for imports from the United States is incorrect and either reflects incorrect country of origin or incorrect classification.) | |||||||
| 2620.99.00.90 | Ash and residues: other (containing mainly nickel) | ||||||
| Cuba | 27 600 | – | 30 400 | – | 31 100 | – | |
| (Note: Imports of nickel in sulphide precipitates from Cuba were estimated from reported production data published by Sherritt International. Tonnage was estimated; value was not estimated.) | |||||||
| 2825.40 | Nickel oxides and hydroxides (weight of material, not nickel content) | ||||||
| United States | 1 503 | 5 402 | 1 964 | 8 515 | 1 512 | 4 928 | |
| Finland | 33 | 468 | 76 | 665 | 26 | 348 | |
| Japan | 15 | 174 | – | – | 20 | 223 | |
| Other countries | – | – | . . . | 1 | . . . | . . . | |
| Total | 1 551 | 6 044 | 2 040 | 9 181 | 1 558 | 5 499 | |
| 2827.35 | Nickel chlorides (weight of material, not nickel content) | ||||||
| Norway | . . . | . . . | 28 | 191 | 87 | 600 | |
| France | 68 | 465 | 87 | 632 | 24 | 183 | |
| United States | 46 | 275 | 56 | 346 | 17 | 104 | |
| Other countries | 31 | 206 | 37 | 231 | 22 | 152 | |
| Total | 145 | 946 | 208 | 1 400 | 150 | 1 039 | |
| 2833.24 | Nickel sulphates (weight of material, not nickel content) | ||||||
| United States | 8 738 | 22 532 | 3 940 | 13 559 | 4 106 | 10 739 | |
| China | 186 | 1 112 | 217 | 2 101 | 182 | 1 162 | |
| Belgium | 407 | 2 232 | 228 | 1 855 | 157 | 1 109 | |
| Finland | 37 | 174 | 108 | 955 | 91 | 641 | |
| Other countrires | 26 | 162 | 11 | 101 | 3 | 27 | |
| Total | 9 394 | 26 212 | 4 504 | 18 571 | 4 539 | 13 678 | |
| 3815.11 | Catalysts and other reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations with nickel or nickel compounds as the substance (weight of material, not nickel content) | ||||||
| United States | 426 | 7 179 | 844 | 20 762 | 262 | 4 595 | |
| France | 10 | 242 | 10 | 207 | 131 | 4 108 | |
| Germany | 138 | 2 381 | 99 | 1 874 | 153 | 3 187 | |
| United Kingdom | 28 | 622 | 35 | 859 | 94 | 1 907 | |
| Denmark | 3 | 71 | 125 | 2 617 | 62 | 1 354 | |
| India | 42 | 313 | 70 | 922 | 75 | 1 149 | |
| Other countries | 587 | 8 479 | 189 | 1 751 | 33 | 841 | |
| Total | 1 234 | 19 287 | 1 372 | 28 992 | 810 | 17 141 | |
| 7202.60 | Ferronickel (weight of material, not nickel content) | ||||||
| United States | 22 | 162 | 2 | 27 | . . . | 5 | |
| China | . . . | 2 | . . . | 2 | . . . | 4 | |
| Other countries | . . . | 2 | 5 | 117 | – | – | |
| Total | 22 | 166 | 7 | 146 | . . . | 9 | |
| 7204.21 | Stainless steel waste and scrap (weight of material, not nickel content) | ||||||
| United States | 36 670 | 47 189 | 28 699 | 58 541 | 22 671 | 50 654 | |
| Other countries | 71 | 94 | 6 | 15 | 14 | 33 | |
| Total | 36 741 | 47 283 | 28 705 | 58 556 | 22 685 | 50 687 | |
| 7501.10 | Nickel mattes (nickel content) | ||||||
| Canada | – | – | – | – | 1 | 22 | |
| Other countries | 9 | 39 | 1 303 | 5 746 | – | – | |
| Total | 9 | 39 | 1 303 | 5 746 | 1 | 22 | |
| 7501.20 | Nickel oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy (weight of material, not nickel content) | ||||||
| Germany | 10 408 | 39 088 | 33 680 | 91 638 | 22 341 | 66 807 | |
| United States | 13 912 | 8 576 | 12 100 | 18 528 | 9 278 | 14 259 | |
| Botswana | – | – | 15 305 | 68 333 | 2 155 | 4 425 | |
| Other countries | 4 | 44 | 491 | 2 555 | 154 | 513 | |
| Total | 24 324 | 47 708 | 61 576 | 181 054 | 33 928 | 86 004 | |
| 7502.10 | Nickel unwrought, not alloyed (nickel content) | ||||||
| United Kingdom | 209 | 4 972 | 86 | 3 816 | 767 | 20 017 | |
| Russia | 51 | 843 | 21 | 587 | 203 | 5 185 | |
| Finland | 492 | 10 288 | 498 | 20 123 | 140 | 3 737 | |
| Norway | 373 | 7 247 | 489 | 20 554 | 106 | 2 420 | |
| United States | 41 | 584 | 52 | 1 537 | 34 | 904 | |
| Australia | – | – | – | – | 42 | 852 | |
| Zimbabwe | 50 | 946 | 8 | 370 | 15 | 447 | |
| Other countries | 240 | 2 455 | 39 | 1 851 | 48 | 1 063 | |
| Total | 1 456 | 27 335 | 1 193 | 48 838 | 1 355 | 34 625 | |
| 7502.20 | Nickel unwrought, alloyed (weight of material, not nickel content) | ||||||
| United Kingdom | 38 | 751 | 55 | 1 722 | 124 | 3 878 | |
| United States | 174 | 2 930 | 306 | 6 150 | 159 | 2 996 | |
| Estonia | 80 | 342 | 374 | 1 530 | 286 | 1 097 | |
| Other countries | 352 | 1 744 | 72 | 3 141 | 26 | 487 | |
| Total | 644 | 5 767 | 807 | 12 543 | 595 | 8 458 | |
| 7503.00 | Nickel waste and scrap (weight of material, not nickel content) | ||||||
| United States | 12 193 | 45 579 | 29 774 | 175 981 | 16 376 | 69 610 | |
| Norway | 150 | 1 259 | 322 | 1 589 | 224 | 1 590 | |
| Japan | – | – | 401 | 3 650 | 173 | 895 | |
| Netherlands | – | – | 58 | 716 | 39 | 465 | |
| Canada | 16 | 67 | 14 | 178 | 47 | 407 | |
| Switzerland | – | – | – | – | 127 | 351 | |
| Mozambique | – | – | – | – | 134 | 317 | |
| Zimbabwe | 210 | 551 | 62 | 1 644 | 29 | 245 | |
| Other countires | 547 | 2 585 | 1 515 | 4 945 | 83 | 648 | |
| Total | 13 116 | 50 041 | 32 146 | 188 703 | 17 232 | 74 528 | |
| 7504.00 | Nickel powders and flakes, alloyed and unalloyed (weight of material, not nickel content) | ||||||
| Australia | 1 383 | 32 063 | 1 003 | 40 006 | 674 | 17 578 | |
| United States | 134 | 4 565 | 136 | 5 353 | 105 | 4 766 | |
| Belgium | 21 | 799 | 17 | 1 095 | 27 | 1 329 | |
| Canada | 2 | 63 | 1 | 44 | 17 | 464 | |
| Germany | 2 | 75 | 12 | 732 | 7 | 409 | |
| Ireland | 9 | 344 | 4 | 207 | 8 | 347 | |
| Other countries | 34 | 963 | 43 | 2 539 | 17 | 694 | |
| Total | 1 585 | 38 872 | 1 216 | 49 976 | 855 | 25 587 | |
| 7505.11 | Bars, rods and profiles of nickel, not alloyed (nickel content) | ||||||
| United States | 11 | 233 | 12 | 346 | 57 | 1 637 | |
| United Kingdom | 12 | 223 | 16 | 463 | 3 | 176 | |
| Other countries | . . . | 8 | . . . | 18 | . . . | 12 | |
| Total | 23 | 464 | 28 | 827 | 60 | 1 825 | |
| 7505.12 | Bars, rods and profiles of nickel alloy (weight of material, not nickel content) | ||||||
| United States | 915 | 26 546 | 825 | 34 742 | 635 | 31 254 | |
| Germany | 94 | 2 870 | 57 | 1 738 | 46 | 1 928 | |
| Italy | 19 | 690 | 18 | 781 | 15 | 558 | |
| United Kingdom | 10 | 373 | 7 | 356 | 7 | 342 | |
| Russia | – | – | . . . | 6 | 3 | 152 | |
| Japan | 15 | 286 | 9 | 163 | 5 | 109 | |
| Austria | 2 | 69 | 1 | 23 | 2 | 104 | |
| Other countries | 8 | 137 | 11 | 133 | 9 | 262 | |
| Total | 1 063 | 30 971 | 928 | 37 942 | 722 | 34 709 | |
| 7505.21 | Nickel wire, not alloyed (weight of nickel wire plus coating if any, not nickel content) | ||||||
| Germany | 8 | 109 | 1 | 58 | 22 | 755 | |
| United States | 38 | 452 | 39 | 756 | 10 | 501 | |
| Other countries | 5 | 70 | 2 | 115 | 2 | 69 | |
| Total | 51 | 631 | 42 | 929 | 34 | 1 325 | |
| 7505.22 | Wire, nickel alloy (weight of alloy plus coating, if any, not nickel content) | ||||||
| United States | 236 | 6 775 | 192 | 8 243 | 207 | 9 737 | |
| Germany | 140 | 2 997 | 58 | 2 323 | 144 | 4 071 | |
| Sweden | 63 | 1 583 | 57 | 2 064 | 96 | 3 036 | |
| France | 28 | 798 | 20 | 1 023 | 30 | 1 433 | |
| United Kingdom | 26 | 1 002 | 10 | 886 | 6 | 753 | |
| Austria | 52 | 1 224 | 41 | 1 541 | 17 | 575 | |
| Other countries | 14 | 261 | 8 | 223 | 17 | 501 | |
| Total | 559 | 14 640 | 386 | 16 303 | 517 | 20 106 | |
| 7506.00 | Nickel plates, sheets, strip and foil | ||||||
| United States | 505 | 18 048 | 613 | 28 690 | 711 | 33 559 | |
| Germany | 578 | 15 074 | 858 | 39 689 | 573 | 19 141 | |
| Other countries | 22 | 590 | 8 | 583 | 10 | 688 | |
| Total | 1 105 | 33 712 | 1 479 | 68 962 | 1 294 | 53 388 | |
| 7507.00 | Tubes, pipes, and tube or pipe fittings alloyed and unalloyed (weight of material, not nickel content) | ||||||
| United States | 496 | 18 588 | 606 | 23 195 | 911 | 38 507 | |
| Japan | 7 | 320 | 8 | 474 | 671 | 25 217 | |
| Sweden | 46 | 1 027 | 102 | 5 930 | 282 | 13 651 | |
| Norway | 678 | 18 249 | 20 | 533 | 220 | 5 921 | |
| Italy | 7 | 118 | 5 | 424 | 9 | 463 | |
| United Kingdom | 19 | 791 | 2 | 106 | 5 | 420 | |
| Germany | 7 | 410 | 2 | 104 | 7 | 275 | |
| South Korea | . . . | 2 | . . . | . . . | 7 | 173 | |
| Spain | 1 | 56 | 2 | 115 | 2 | 163 | |
| Other countries | 394 | 26 703 | 157 | 13 627 | 8 | 221 | |
| Total | 1 655 | 66 264 | 904 | 44 508 | 2 122 | 85 011 | |
| 7508.00 | Other articles of nickel (weight of material, not nickel content) | ||||||
| United States | 647 | 12 151 | 255 | 17 323 | 170 | 19 948 | |
| United Kingdom | 83 | 906 | 12 | 652 | 12 | 2 249 | |
| France | 9 | 262 | 9 | 482 | 2 | 753 | |
| China | 194 | 1 077 | 80 | 671 | 38 | 635 | |
| Switzerland | 44 | 316 | 29 | 388 | 9 | 480 | |
| Canada | . . . | 20 | 3 | 288 | 4 | 242 | |
| Other countries | 42 | 998 | 29 | 1 024 | 17 | 908 | |
| Total | 1 019 | 15 730 | 417 | 20 828 | 252 | 25 215 | |
| Total imports | 128 772 | 570 747 | 174 704 | 1 048 184 | 121 414 | 597 592 | |
Sources: Natural Resources Canada; Statistics Canada.
– Nil; . . . Amount too small to be expressed; (p) Preliminary.
(1) The United States does not produce nickel concentrates, so reported imports may come from other countries or be misclassified.
Notes: Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding. The value of nickel in ash and residue from Cuba is not included in the total value.
Sources: Natural Resources Canada; Statistics Canada.
. . Not available; (p) Preliminary.
(1) Refined nickel and nickel in oxides and salts produced, plus recoverable nickel in matte and concentrates exported. Data for 1990-2008 are nickel contained in concentrates produced.
(2) Use of metallic nickel, all forms (refined metal, nickel in ferronickel oxides and salts, and other forms of nickel, excluding nickel in purchased scrap) as reported by users on the Natural Resources Canada survey "Nickel Use."
Note: Metals are used in industrial and consumer applications; unlike fuel oil or agricultural commodities, metals are not "used up" or "consumed"; instead, they are recycled. Discussions taking place in international fora indicate that the term "consumption" should be changed to more appropriately reflect actual practice. For this reason, the word "use" has replaced "consumption" in this review, where appropriate.
| Country | Company | Web Site Address |
| Albania | Adriatic Nickel Resources Sh.p.k. | www.enickel.co.uk |
| Balkan Resources Inc. | www.balkanresources.com | |
| Argentina | Castillian Resources Corp. | www.castillian.ca |
| Marifil Mines Ltd. | www.marifilmines.com | |
| Australia | Apex Minerals NL | www.apexminerals.com |
| AusNiCo Pty Ltd. | www.daguilar.com.au/AusNiCo.html | |
| Australasian Resources Ltd. | www.austresources.com.au | |
| Australian Mines Limited | www.australianmines.com.au | |
| Barra Resources Limited | www.barraresources.com.au | |
| BHP Billiton plc/BHP Billiton Limited | www.bhpbilliton.com | |
| Braemore Resources Plc | www.braemoreresources.com | |
| Brilliant Mining Corp. | www.brilliantmining.com | |
| Compass Resources NL | www.compassnl.com.au | |
| Condor Nickel Ltd. | www.condornickel.com | |
| Consolidated Minerals Limited | www.consminerals.com.au | |
| Copernicus Nickel Mines Pty Ltd. | see Panoramic or Thundelarra | |
| Cortona Resources Limited | www.cortonaresources.com.au | |
| Emu Nickel NL | www.emunickel.com.au | |
| Falcon Minerals Limited | www.falconminerals.com.au | |
| Fox Resources Limited | www.foxresources.com.au | |
| Gladstone Pacific | www.gladstonepacific.com.au | |
| Glenmurrin Pty Ltd. | www.glencore.com | |
| Heron Resources Limited | www.heronresources.com.au | |
| Hunan Nonferrous Metals Corporation | www.hnc2626.com/youse/index.asp | |
| Independence Group NL | http://independencegroup.com.au | |
| Jervois Mining Limited | www.jervoismining.com.au | |
| Kagara Ltd. | www.kagara.com.au | |
| Lightning Nickel Pty Ltd. | http://independencegroup.com.au | |
| Marlborough Nickel Pty Ltd. | www.gladstonepacific.com.au | |
| Metallical Minerals Ltd. | www.metallicaminerals.com.au | |
| Metals X Limited | http://metalsx.com.au | |
| Minara Resources Limited | www.minara.com.au | |
| Mincor Resources NL | www.mincor.com.au | |
| MMC Norilsk Nickel | www.nornik.ru | |
| MPI Nickel Limited | www.nornik.ru | |
| Nickelore Limited | www.nickelore.com.au | |
| Norilsk Nickel Cawse Pty Limited | www.nornik.ru | |
| Norilsk Nickel Australia Pty Limited | www.nornik.ru | |
| North Star Resources Ltd | www.nsrltd.com | |
| Oxiana Limited | www.oxiana.com.au | |
| Oz Minerals Limited | www.ozminerals.com | |
| Panorama Resources Limited | www.panoramicresources.com | |
| Pepinnini Minerals Limited | www.pepinnini.com.au | |
| Pioneer Nickel Limited | www.pioneernickel.com.au | |
| Posiedon Nickel Limited | www.poseidon-nickel.com.au | |
| Sinosteel Australia Pty Ltd. | http://australia.sinosteel.com | |
| Sir Samuel Mines NL | www.xstrata.com | |
| Thundelarra Exploration Limited | www.thundelarra.com | |
| TNG Limited | www.tngltd.com.au | |
| View Resources Limited | www.viewresources.com.au | |
| Western Areas NL | www.westernareas.com.au | |
| Jubilee Mines N.L. | purchased by Xstrata in 2008 | |
| Belgium | Umicore | www.umicore.com |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Ozren Nickel d.o.o. Sarajevo | www.enickel.co.uk |
| Vardiste Nickel d.o.o. Zvornik | www.enickel.co.uk | |
| Botswana | Albidon Limited | http://albidon.com |
| BCL Limited | www.bcl.bw | |
| Tati Nickel Mining Company Pty Limited | www.nornick.ru | |
| Brazil | Anglo American Brasil Limitada | www.angloamerican.co.uk |
| Anglo American plc | www.angloamerican.co.uk | |
| Brazilian Resources, Inc. | www.brazilianresources.com | |
| Castillian Resources Corp. | www.castillian.ca | |
| Companhia Vale do Rio Doce | www.vale.com | |
| Horizonte Minerals Plc | www.horizonteminerals.com | |
| International Nickel Ventures | www.nickelventures.com | |
| Mirabela Nickel Ltd. | www.mirabela.com.au | |
| Prometálica Mineração Centro Oeste Ltda | unknown | |
| Rio Tino plc | www.riotinto.com | |
| Teck Cominco Limited | www.teckcominco.com | |
| Votorantim Group | www.votorantim.com.br | |
| Xstrata Plc | www.xstrata.com | |
| Votorantim Metais Níquel S.A. | www.vmetais.com.br | |
| Burma | Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. | www.zjky.cn/tabid/138/Default.aspx |
| Burundi | Andover Resources NL | www.argosyminerals.com |
| Cameroon | Geovic Mining Corp. | www.geovic.net |
| Canada | Abitex Resources | www.abitex.ca |
| Altius Minerals Corporation | www.altiusminerals.com | |
| Arctic Star Diamond Corp. | www.arcticstardiamond.com/s/Home.asp | |
| Argosy Minerals Inc. | www.argosyminerals.com | |
| Bactech Mining Corporation | www.bactech.com | |
| Black Panther Mining Corp. | www.blackpanthermining.com | |
| Brilliant Mining Corp. | www.brilliantmining.com | |
| Callinan Mines Limited | www.callinan.com | |
| Canadian Arrow Mines Ltd. | www.canadianarrowmines.ca | |
| Canadian Royalties Inc. | www.canadianroyalties.com | |
| Continental Nickel Limited | www.continentalnickel.com | |
| Coronation Minerals Inc. | www.coronationminerals.com | |
| Crowflight Minerals Inc. | www.crowflight.com | |
| Diamonds North Resources Ltd. | www.diamondsnorthresources.com | |
| First Nickel Inc. | www.firstnickel.com | |
| Fletcher Nickel Inc. | www.fletchernickel.com | |
| FNX Mining Company Inc. | www.fnxmining.com | |
| Fortune Minerals Limited | www.fortuneminerals.com | |
| Goldbrook Ventures Inc. | www.goldbrookventures.com | |
| Golden Chalice Resources Inc. | www.goldenchaliceresources.com | |
| Golden Goose Resources inc. | www.goldengooseres.com | |
| Golden Valley Mines Ltd. | www.goldenvalleymines.com | |
| Gossan Resources Limited | www.gossan.ca | |
| Hard Creek Nickel Corporation | www.hardcreeknickel.com | |
| High River Gold Mines Ltd. | www.hrg.ca | |
| Hinterland Metals Inc. | www.hinterlandmetals.com | |
| Independent Nickel Corp. | see Victory Nickel | |
| Inspiration Mining Corporation | www.inspirationmining.com | |
| International Nickel Ventures | www.nickelventures.com | |
| International Royalty Corporation | www.internationalroyalty.com | |
| Knight Resources Ltd. | http://knightresources.ca | |
| Landore Resources Limited | www.landore.com | |
| Liberty Mines Inc. | www.libertymines.com | |
| MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. | www.macdonaldmines.com | |
| Magma Metals Ltd. | www.magmametals.com.au | |
| Manicouagan Minerals Inc. | www.manicouaganminerals.com | |
| Marathon PGM Corporation | www.marathonpgm.com | |
| Melkior Resources Inc. | www.melkior.com | |
| MetalCORP Limited | www.metalcorp.ca | |
| MMC Norilsk Nickel | www.nornick.ru | |
| Mustang Minerals Corp. | www.mustangminerals.com | |
| Nanika Resources Inc. | www.nanikaresources.com | |
| Noront Resources Ltd. | http://norontresources.com | |
| Nortec Ventures Corp. | www.nortecventures.com | |
| Nearctic Nickel Mines | unknown | |
| North American Palladium Ltd. | www.napalladium.com | |
| Northern Abitibi Mining Corp. | www.naminco.ca | |
| Northern Platinum Ltd. | unknown | |
| Orsa Ventures Corp. | www.orsaventures.com | |
| Pacific Coast Nickel Corp. | www.pacificcoastnickel.com | |
| Pegasus Metals Limited | www.pegasusmetals.com.au | |
| Pure Nickel Inc. | www.purenickel.com | |
| Richview Resources Inc. | www.richviewresources.com | |
| Royal Nickel Corporation | www.royalnickel.com | |
| Sherritt International Corporation | www.sherritt.com | |
| Starfield Resources Inc. | www.starfieldres.com | |
| Starfire Minerals Inc. | www.starfireminerals.ca | |
| Starfire Nickel Inc. | www.starfireminerals.ca | |
| Stratabound Minerals Corp. | www.stratabound.com | |
| StrataGold Corporation | www.stratagold.com | |
| Strongbow Exploration Inc. | www.strongbowexploration.com | |
| The Cobalt Refinery Company Inc. | www.sherritt.com | |
| Trade Winds Ventures Inc. | www.tradewindsventures.com | |
| URSA Major Minerals Incorporated | www.ursamajorminerals.com | |
| Vale Inco Limited | www.valeinco.com | |
| Vale Inco Newfoundland & Labrador Limited (was Voisey's Bay Nickel Company Limited) | http://vinl.valeinco.com | |
| Victory Nickel Inc. | www.victorynickel.ca | |
| Wallbridge Mining Company | www.wallbridgemining.com | |
| Western Areas NL | www.westernareas.com.au | |
| Xstrata Plc | www.xstrata.com | |
| China | Chaoyang Haotian Nonferrous Metals Co., Ltd. | www.jljn.com/index_en.jsp |
| Chihong Zinc and Germanium Mining Company Ltd. | unknown | |
| China Metallurgical Construction (Group) Corp. | www.mcc.com.cn/english/ | |
| China Nickel Resources Holdings Company Limited | www.cnrholdings.com/english/INDEX.HTM | |
| China Yunnan Metallurgical Group Co. Limited | unknown | |
| Chongqing Jien Nickel Co., Ltd. | http://cqnickel.cn/en/Info/index.asp | |
| Chongqing Nonferrous Metals Group Co., Ltd. | unknown | |
| Chongqing Smelter (Group) Corp. Ltd. | www.cqcsc.com/indexe.html | |
| Fujian Desheng Nickel Products Co Ltd. | unknown | |
| Zijin Mining Industry Co. Ltd. | www.zjky.com.cn | |
| Gansu Northwest Mining Co. Ltd. | unknown | |
| GobiMin Inc. | www.gobimin.com | |
| Honghe Henghao Mining Co. Ltd. | unknown | |
| Huaibei Xinyuan Nickel Co. Ltd. | unknown | |
| Huayou Nickel & Cobalt Material Co., Ltd. | www.huayou.com/eng/index.asp | |
| JFE Mineral Company, Ltd. | www.jfe-mineral.co.jp | |
| Jiangxi Jiangli New Material Co. Ltd. | unknown | |
| Jiangxi Rare Earth and Rare Metals Tungsten Group | www.jxtc.com.cn/en/index.asp | |
| Ji'en Nickel Co. Ltd. | www.jljn.com/index_en.jsp | |
| Ji'lin Haorong Nonferrous Metal Group Co., Ltd. | www.jljn.com/index_en.jsp | |
| Jilin Jien Nickel Industry Co., Ltd. | www.jlnickel.com.cn | |
| Jinchuan Group Limited | www.jnmc.com | |
| Jinping Henghao Nonferrous Metals Co. | unknown | |
| Minmetals Resources Limited | www.minmetalsresources.com | |
| Qinghai Pingan Xinhai Resource Development Co., Ltd. | unknown | |
| Qingshan Holdings. Co. Ltd. | unknown | |
| Qinqi Mining Co. Ltd. | unknown | |
| Qixin Nickel Industry Co. Ltd. | unknown | |
| Shaanxi Xingwang Co., Ltd. | unknown | |
| Shandong Golden-Nickel Industry & Trade Co. Ltd. | unknown | |
| Sino-Platinum Metals Co., Ltd. | www.sino-platinum.com.cn | |
| SinoSteel Binhai Industry Co., Ltd. | http://en.sinosteel.com/qqzg/dqgs/2007-09-13/1728.shtml | |
| Sinosteel Group | http://en.sinosteel.com/qqzg/dqgs/2007-09-13/1690.shtml | |
| Vale Inco New Nickel Materials (Dalian) Co. Ltd. | www.valeinco.com | |
| Xinhai Resources Co., Ltd. | unknown | |
| Xinjiang Xinxin Mining Industry Co. Ltd. | http://kunlun.wsfg.hk/en/contact.php | |
| Yuanjiang Nickel Co., Ltd. | http://english.yuxi.gov.cn/showitem.asp?id=2005102609435884815 | |
| Yunnan Tin Corporation | www.ytl.com.cn | |
| Zhejiang Huaguang Group Co., Ltd. | unknown | |
| Zhejiang Huanguang | unknown | |
| Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt & Nickel Co. Ltd. | www.huaxinchem.com/pages/huayou-e.htm | |
| Colombia | BHP Billiton plc | www.bhpbilliton.com |
| Congo | Central African Mining & Exploration Company | www.camec-plc.com |
| Cuba | Empresa Niquelífera Comandante René Ramos Latour | unknown |
| Empresa Niquelífera Ernesto Che Guevara | unknown | |
| Moa Joint Venture | www.sherritt.com | |
| Moa Nickel S.A. | www.sherritt.com | |
| Unión del Níquel S.A. | unknown | |
| Dominican Republic | Falconbridge Domincana C. por A. | www.xstrata.com |
| Globestar Mining Corporation | www.globestarmining.com | |
| Finland | Belvedere Resources Ltd. | www.belvedere-resources.com |
| Boliden AB | www.boliden.com | |
| First Quantum | www.first-quantum.com | |
| Magnus Minerals OY | www.magnusminerals.com | |
| Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta Oy | www.nornick.ru | |
| Nortec Ventures Corp. | www.nortecventures.com | |
| North American Palladium Ltd. | www.napalladium.com | |
| OM Group, Inc. | www.omgi.com/ | |
| Scandanavian Minerals Limited | www.scandinavianminerals.com | |
| Talvivaara Mining Company Plc | www.talvivaara.com | |
| Vulcan Resources Limited | www.vulcanresources.com.au | |
| Eramet S.A. | www.eramet.fr | |
| Greece | General Mining and Metallurgical Anonymous Company "LARCO" | www.larco.gr |
| Guatemala | HMI Minerals Inc. | www.hudbayminerals.com |
| HudBay Minerals Inc. | www.hudbayminerals.com | |
| Maya Niquel S.A. | www.bhpbilliton.com | |
| Indonesia | PT Aneka Tambang Tbk | www.antam.com |
| PT International Nickel Indonesia Tbk | www.pt-inco.co.id | |
| PT Yiwan Mining Ltd | unknown | |
| Rio Tino plc | www.riotinto.com | |
| S.E.A. Mineral Limited | unknown | |
| Japan | Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation | www.jogmec.go.jp |
| Nippon Yakin Kogyo Co., Ltd. | www.nyk.co.jp/index_e.html | |
| Pacific Metals Co., Ltd. | www.pacific-metals.co.jp | |
| Vale Inco Japan Limited | www.valeinco.com | |
| YAKIN Oheyama Co., Ltd. | www.nyk.co.jp | |
| Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. | www.smm.co.jp | |
| Kazahstan | Oriel Resources Plc | www.mechel.com |
| Bekem Minerals Inc. | www.bekem.com | |
| Kazakh Metals, Inc. | www.bekem.com | |
| Korea | Société du Nickel de Nouvelle-Calédonie et Corée | www.smsp.nc |
| Posco | www.posco.com | |
| Korea Nickel Corporation | www.valeinco.com | |
| Kosovo | BSG Resources Limited | www.bsgresources.com/fields |
| Cunico Resources N.V. | www.cunicoresources.com | |
| Lydian International Ltd. | www.lydianinternational.co.uk | |
| Newco Ferronikeli Complex L.L.C. or. FENI Industrija AD | www.cunicoresources.com | |
| Macedonia | BSG Resources Limited | www.bsgresources.com/fields |
| Cunico Resources N.V. | www.cunicoresources.com | |
| Madagascar | Malagasy Minerals Limited | www.malagasyminerals.com |
| Sherritt International Corporation | www.sherritt.com | |
| Malawi | Albidon Limited | http://albidon.com |
| New Caledonia | Eramet S.A. | www.eramet.fr |
| Gladstone Nouvelle Caledonie SAS | www.gladstonepacific.com.au | |
| Koniambo Nickel S.A.S. | www.smsp.nc | |
| Koniambo Nickel S.A.S. | www.xstrata.com | |
| Posco | www.posco.com | |
| Société Le Nickel | www.sln.nc | |
| Société Minière G. Montagnat SARL | unknown | |
| Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. | www.smm.co.jp | |
| Vale Inco Nouvelle-Calédonie S.A.S. | www.valeinco.nc | |
| Norway | Blackstone Ventures Inc. | www.blv.ca |
| Xstrata Plc | www.xstrata.com | |
| Philippines | Aglubang Mining Corp. | www,intex.com |
| Asiaticus Management Corporation | www.amcorphil.com | |
| Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. | http://atlasphilippines.com | |
| Berong Mining Corp. | http://atlasphilippines.com | |
| C.T.P. Construction and Mining Corporation | www.ctpcmc.com | |
| Cagdianao Mining Corp. | www.nickelasia.com | |
| Carrascal Nickel Corp. | unknown | |
| Citinickel Mines and Development Corp. | unknown | |
| Coral Bay Nickel Corporation | www.nickelasia.com/currentprocessing.html | |
| CRAU Mineral Resources Corp. | unknown | |
| Delta Earthmoving Inc. | unknown | |
| DMCI Holdings, Inc. | www.dmciholdings.com | |
| European Nickel Plc | www.enickel.co.uk | |
| Galactica Mining and Development Corporation | unknown | |
| Geograce Resources Philippines | www.geograce.com | |
| Hinatuan Mining Corp. | www.nickelasia.com | |
| Hopewell Mining Corporation | unknown | |
| HPT Industry Co. Ltd. | unknown | |
| Intex Resources ASA | www.intexresources.com | |
| Intex Resources Philippines, Inc. | www.intexresources.com | |
| Investika Ltd - name changed to Natasa Mining Ltd. | www.investika.com | |
| Ipilan Nickel Corporation | www.toledomining.com/celestial.asp | |
| Macro Asia Mining Corporation | www.macroasiacorp.com/businesses-mmc.html | |
| MBMI Resources Inc. | www.mbmiresources.com | |
| Mindoro Resources Ltd | www.mindoro.com | |
| Minimax Mineral Exploration Corporation | unknown | |
| MRL Gold Phils. Inc. | www.mrlgold.com | |
| Mt. Peak Mining and Development Corporation | ||
| Narra Nickel Mining Development Corp. | unknown | |
| Natasa Mining Ltd. | www.investika.com | |
| Nickel Asia Corp. | www.nickelasia.com | |
| NiHao Mineral Resources International, Inc. | www.nihaometals.com | |
| Oregon Mining and Development Corporation | unknown | |
| Oriental Peninsula Resources Group, Inc. | www.pse.com.ph/html/ListedCompanies/pdf/2008/ORE_17A_Dec2007.pdf | |
| P.L. Goldman Mining and Development Corporation | unknown | |
| Pacific Nickel Philippines Inc. | unknown | |
| Philippine Nickel Corporation | unknown | |
| Platinum Group Metals Corporation | unknown | |
| Rio Tuba Nickel Mng. | www.nickelasia.com | |
| Rusina Mining N.L. | www.rusina.com.au | |
| SR Metals, Incorporated | http://srmetalsinc.com | |
| St. Patrick Mining and Development Corporation | unknown | |
| Taganito Mining Corp. | www.nickelasia.com | |
| Toledo Mining Corporation Plc | www.toledomining.com | |
| Uae UNA Mining Corporation | unknown | |
| Ulugan Nickel Corporation (UNC) | http://atlasphilippines.com | |
| Wellex Mining Corp. | unknown | |
| Papua New Guinea | China Metallurgical Construction (Group) Corp. | www.mcc.com.cn/english |
| Highlands Pacific Limited | www.highlandspacific.com | |
| MMC Ramu NiCo Limited | www.highlandspacific.com | |
| Resource Mining Corporation Ltd. | www.resmin.com.au/ | |
| Poland | Northern Mining Limited | www.northernmining.com.au |
| Republic of South Africa | Lonmin Plc | www.lonmin.com |
| Russia | Amur Minerals Corporation | www.amurminerals.com |
| Barrick Gold Corporation | www.barrick.com | |
| High River Gold Mines Limited | www.hrg.ca | |
| Industrial Metallurgical Holding | www.metholding.ru/en | |
| Kola Mining Corp. | www.kolamining.com | |
| Mechel OAO | www.mechel.com | |
| ОАО Ufaleynickel | www.metholding.ru | |
| OAO Koks | www.metholding.ru | |
| Open Joint Stock Company "Mining and Metallurgical Company Norilsk Nickel" | www.nornick.ru | |
| Russian Copper Company | www.rmk-group.ru | |
| ZАО PО Rezhnickel | www.metholding.ru | |
| South Korea | Société du Nickel de Nouvelle-Calédonie et Corée | www.smsp.nc |
| Serbia | European Nickel d.o.o. | www.enickel.co.uk |
| Solomon Islands | Solomon Gold plc | http://solomongold.com |
| South Africa | African Rainbow Minerals Limited | www.arm.co.za |
| Anglo Platinum Limited | www.angloplatinum.com | |
| Anooraq Resources Corporation | www.anooraqresources.com | |
| Aquarius Platinum Limited | www.aquariusplatinum.com | |
| Braemore Resources Plc | www.braemoreresources.com | |
| Caledonia Mining Corporation | www.caledoniamining.com | |
| Continental Nickel Limited | www.continentalnickel.com | |
| Eastern Platinum Limited | www.eastplats.com | |
| Impala Platinum Holdings Limited | www.implats.co.za | |
| MMC Norilsk Nickel | www.nornick.ru | |
| Norilsk Nickel Africa Pty Limited | www.nornick.ru | |
| Northam Platinum Limited | www.northam.co.za | |
| Platinum Group Metals Ltd. | www.platinumgroupmetals.net | |
| Platmin Limited | www.platmin.com | |
| Ridge Mining PLC | www.ridgemining.com | |
| Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. | www.zjky.cn/tabid/138/Default.aspx | |
| Spain | Lundin Mining Corporation | www.lundinmining.com |
| Sweden | Blackstone Ventures Inc. | www.blv.ca |
| International Gold Exploration AB | www.ige.se | |
| Taiwan | Taiwan Nickel Refining Corporation | www.valeinco.com |
| Tanzania | African Eagle Resources plc | www.africaneagle.co.uk |
| Albidon Limited | http://albidon.com | |
| Barrick Gold Corporation | www.barrick.com | |
| Castillian Resources Corp. | www.castillian.ca | |
| Continental Nickel Limited | www.continentalnickel.com | |
| IMX Resources NL | www.imxresources.com.au | |
| Jilin Tonghua Iron & Steel (Group) Mining Co., Ltd. | unknown | |
| Kabanga Nickel Company Limited | www.xstrata.com or www.barrick.com | |
| Xstrata plc | www.xstata.com | |
| Turkey | Çaldag Nickel Madencilik Tic. A.Ş | www.enickel.co.uk |
| European Nickel Plc | www.enickel.co.uk | |
| Ukraine | Urkainian Industrial Group Ltd. | www.ferroalloys.com.ua/engl/index.php |
| United Kingdom | Alba Mineral Resources PLC | www.albamineralresources.com |
| United States | Duluth Metals Limited | www.duluthmetals.com |
| Formation Capital Corporation | www.formcap.com | |
| Franconia Minerals Corporation | www.franconiaminerals.com | |
| Kennecott Minerals Company | www.kennecottminerals.com | |
| Nevoro Inc. | www.nevoro.com | |
| PolyMet Mining Corp. | www.polymetmining.com | |
| Pure Nickel Inc. | www.purenickel.com | |
| Rio Tino plc | www.eagle-project.com | |
| Stillwater Mining Corporation | www.stillwatermining.com | |
| Teck Limited | www.teckcominco.com | |
| Venezuela | Minera Loma de Níquel, CA | www.angloamerican.co.uk |
| Vietnam | Asian Mineral Resources Limited | www.asianminres.com |
| Zambia | Albidon Limited | http://albidon.com |
| Caledonia Mining Corporation | www.caledoniamining.com | |
| Caledonia Nama Limited | www.caledoniamining.com | |
| Kiwara PLC | www.kiwara.co.uk | |
| Zimbabwe | Bindura Nickel Corporation Limited | www.mwanaafrica.com |
| Mimosa Investments Limited | see Aquarius Platinum or Impala | |
| Mimosa Mining Company (Private) Limited | see Aquarius Platinum or Impala | |
| Mwana Africa PLC | www.mwanaafrica.com | |
| Zimbabwe Platinum Mines (Private) Limited | www.zimplats.com | |
| Zimplats Holdings Limited | www.zimplats.com |
Note: Feedback on missing or changed web addresses would be welcomed.
Sources: Company reports and web sites; author's estimates.
Limitations on data: Data for cobalt and precious metals production are not published with sufficient detail to permit estimation of production by all mines. Vale Inco's and Xstrata Nickel's Sudbury mines and Xstrata Nickel's Raglan mines are the principal sources of PGM and gold production for which data are not available by individual mine. Data were not found for Vale Inco's Sudbury operation to permit estimation of the cobalt present in ore. National production data for PGM and cobalt in concentrates reflect the output of Canada's nickel operations and are: cobalt, 8643 t in concentrates shipped, likely all derived from nickel mining; recoverable PGM in concentrates was 14 322 kg of palladium, 6405 kg of platinum, and 450 kg of other PGM, likely all derived from nickel mining.
FNX data are payable metals in concentrates from the Levack, McCreedy West, and Podolsky mines.
The Xstrata Sudbury cobalt figure is cobalt recovered in concentrate from Xstrata's Sudbury mines, plus Lockerby, Shakespeare, and other third-party material. Third-party feed is estimated at 273 000 t grading 1.7% Ni and 0.8% Cu. Xstrata's PGM production from Sudbury ores is not reported; Nikkelverk recovered 525 353 oz of PGMs. The majority of Nikkelverk production is sourced from Canadian feeds of which Raglan and Sudbury supplied most of the Xstrata PGM entering the Sudbury smelter. Data are not available to permit breakdown of the contribution by Xstrata mines. The Sudbury smelter also took PGM feed from North American Palladium, URSA Major, and Lockerby. Xstrata Raglan's precious metals production was not released.
Liberty production, from the Ontario Resident Geologist Report (Timmins), states that the Redstone concentrator processed 51 500 t @ 1.81% Ni with recovery of 90.8%. Liberty reported that by-product cobalt accounted for between 1.2% and 2.3% of the concentrate value in the January-September 2008 period. Liberty reported that by-product copper accounted for between 1.2% and 1.5% of the concentrate value in the January-September 2008 period.
The Shakespeare operation delivered 83 029 t grading 0.39% Ni, 0.40% Cu, 0.03% Co, and over 1 g/t precious metals to the Strathcona mill in the February 1, 2008-January 31, 2009 fiscal year. Recoveries in 2007 were reported as: Ni, 76%; Cu, 89%; Co, 60%, Au, 63%; Pt, 66%; and Pd, 46%. The precious metals content was estimated using a reported grade of a 50 000-t bulk sample shipped in 2007.
Vale Inco production attributable to Sudbury reported as finished production (i.e., after processing losses) was: Co, 804 t; Pt, 5163 kg; Pd, 7185 kg; Au, 2644 kg; and Ag, 71.8 t. FNX payable metal production was subtracted from the refined total to obtain estimated Vale Inco-sourced refined output of: Co, 729 t; Pt, 4588 kg; Pd, 6433 kg; and Au, 2353 kg. Using the Inco 10-K report for 2005 data on processing recovery from ore to refined product for Sudbury ores of Pt = 74% recovery, Pd = 76% recovery, and Au = 66% recovery, contained metals in ores from Vale Inco's Sudbury mines were estimated (above).
Source: INSG World Nickel Statistics, May 2009.
Notes: The INSG publishes data to the nearest 100 t; for this table, the author has rounded the data to the nearest 5000 t. Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding. For sulphides, mine production = nickel in concentrate. For laterites, mine production = nickel in ore mined. The world total number of countries producing during the period was 24.
Source: INSG World Nickel Statistics, May 2009.
Notes: The INSG publishes data to the nearest 100 t; for this table, the author has rounded data to the nearest 5000 t. Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding. Class I nickel has a nickel content of 99% or more. Class II nickel has a nickel content of less than 99% and includes such materials as ferronickel, nickel oxide sinter, utility nickel, and nickel pig iron. The world total number of countries producing during the period was 25.
Source: INSG World Nickel Statistics, May 2009.
(1) Class I plus Class II nickel, includes chemicals.
Notes: The INSG publishes data to the nearest 100 t; for this table, the author has rounded the data to the nearest 5000 t. Numbers may not add to totals due to rounding. The INSG recorded use data for 37 countries in 2008.
Sources: Company reports and web sites; author's estimates.
S = sulphide; L = laterite; Conc. = concentrates.
– Nil.
(1) See Table 2 for complete company names.
Notes: Laterite ores are submitted to smelters or hydrometallurgical plants, often with little or no upgrading. Data are rounded to three significant figures or nearest 100 tonnes, whichever is less. This table includes estimates and is incomplete.
Sources: Company reports and web sites; author's estimates.
. . Not available, not found, or information insufficient for estimation.
(1) See Table 2 for complete corporate names. Notes: Upgrading refineries are not included as their feed is nickel oxide, which is considered "finished" (e.g., Korea, Taiwan). Class I nickel has a nickel content of 99% or more. Class II nickel has a nickel content of less than 99% and includes such materials as ferronickel, utility nickel, nickel oxide sinter, and nickel pig iron. Norilsk data in 2008 were not available by division at the time of writing.
(1) Conversion factor used = 2204.62 pounds per tonne.
Notes: This table uses the INSG data published in World Nickel Statistics Monthly Bulletins of Oct. 1992, Oct. 1997, May 2005, and Nov. 2008, except for 1988 when the LME changed to US$/t contracts. For 1988, the value of US$13 822/t was calculated first by converting the January daily prices in £/t to US$/t using the Metal Bulletin closing exchange rate, then using those values and the published US$/t values for February to December to calculate a yearly average, which differs by US2¢/lb from values published by the U.S. Geological Survey. LME cash prices in US$/lb for 1983-98 from Platts' Metals were available from the USGS at http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/ commodity/nickel/500798.pdf.