This
page is archived news covering the period of March 2016
If you are looking for current daily market news, please visit
here.
Free comprehensive information on worldwide nickel market pricing, stainless steel
prices and metals analysis and forecasts
Cell phone and tablet users - smaller version of
this page -
(here)
Thursday, March 31
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at
$3.81/lb. Indicators
at 6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.05/lb
lower. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME licensed warehouses fell from our last update and
started todays session just over the 431,650 tonne level. The first quarter
for 2016 ends today and nickel has done very little over the last three months,
except possibly stop the slide in the price. Our next update is Monday so
we hope each of you have a safe and relaxing weekend.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $3.96/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
(DTT) A nickel plant in Kosovo owned by Swiss based corporation IMR through
its subsidiary Cunico Resources Group in Netherlands is about to halt production
as of next month, according to plant’s trade union.
Euro-Area Prices Drop for 2nd Month Before ECB Beefs Up QE -
more
Kosovo
ferro-nickel producer to halt production due to low prices - Kosovo
ferro-nickel producer Ferronikeli said on Wednesday it will halt production
from next month for at least 90 days because of low nickel prices. -
more
Strong global demand seen to boost investments in nickel exploration
- The high global demand for nickel, particularly for the manufacturing of
public transport vehicles, is expected to drive investments in exploration
for more reserves in the Philippines, according to market research firm
TechNavio. -
more
Philippines' major nickel miner seals China supply deals - Global Ferronickel
Holdings Inc FNI.PS , the Philippines' second-biggest nickel ore miner, signed
contracts with Chinese buyers, including Baosteel, equivalent to about 90
percent of its nickel ore output target for this year, it said on Monday.
-
more
Glencore maintains New Caledonia stake - The Swiss-based mining
conglomerate Glencore has confirmed its commitment to New Caledonia's Koniambo
nickel plant. -
more
Australian
prospector goes Hollywood as mining bust bites - Movie making has joined
pursuits such as egg farming, the growing of medical marijuana and beauty
products as another way for struggling mining companies to weather one of
the industry's worst downturns in decades. -
more
Courtesy AISI
- In the week ending March 26, 2016, domestic raw steel production was 1,675,000
net tons while the capability utilization rate was 71.6 percent. Production
was 1,601,000 net tons in the week ending March 26, 2015 while the capability
utilization then was 67.7 percent. The current week production represents
a 4.6 percent increase from the same period in the previous year. Production
for the week ending March 26, 2016 is up 0.4 percent from the previous week
ending March 19, 2016 when production was 1,668,000 net tons and the rate
of capability utilization was 71.3 percent.
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Thursday, March 24
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at
$3.97/lb
. Indicators
at 6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.04/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Wednesday and now total
just over the 432,650 tonne level. Quiet news day. Our next update will be
on Monday - have a safe and relaxing weekend.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $3.97/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Dollar rise hits commodities as Fed talks of tightening -
more
Solomon
Islands apologises to Australian nickel miner after 'misleading' press release
- As rival mining companies fight over a nickel deposit in the Solomon Islands,
the Prime Minister's office has been forced to retract a statement it issued
earlier in the week, admitting quotes attributed to the Prime Minister had
not been made by him. -
more
Axiom forced to reapply for nickel mining leases -
more
Queensland
Nickel ammonia levels drop - Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles
says elevated ammonia levels in two creeks at Clive Palmer's north Queensland
nickel refinery have dropped back to within safe thresholds. -
more
Clive Palmer 'running out of time' for Queensland Nickel rescue -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Wednesday, March 23
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at
$3.98/lb. Indicators
at 6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.02/lb
higher and back to
the apparent traders mental barrier of $4/lb. Stockpiles of nickel stored
in LME approved warehouses rose on Tuesday and now total just over the 433,100
tonne level. Watch the strength of the Euro against the US Dollar, and you
will understand much of nickel's price movement. Stronger US Dollar puts
negative pressure on commodities. Strength in the Euro adds positive momentum.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $3.98/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
(SSY) Crude steel output for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel
Association continued to fall in February, dropping by 3.3% year-on-year
to 120.4 Mt, the lowest level since December 2011.
Europe recovers from Brussels-driven losses -
more
Resurgent Dollar Drives Down Commodities; European Shares Gain -
more
Clive
Palmer's bid to sue Chinese for QNI's trouble thrown out - Clive Palmer's
attempts to drag Queensland Nickel into his long-running royalty dispute
with the Chinese government-owned CITIC Pacific have been thrown out of the
Supreme Court. -
more
Queensland Nickel administrators fail to sell Clive Palmer-owned cattle station
-
more
Axiom Mining's
nickel license revoked by Solomon Islands' court - The development of a large
nickel deposit in the Solomon Islands is back to square one this week, as
the nation's highest court ruled that neither of the two miners in Japan
and Australia fighting over the discovery were entitled to the license. -
more
Solomons' govt retracts release on Court's nickel decision -
more
Australian
mining company stripped of nickel prospecting licence in Solomon Islands
- The small Australian company Axiom Mining has been stripped of its rights
to one the Pacific's biggest nickel deposits, after losing its legal battle
with the Japanese giant, Sumitomo. -
more
(older report but interesting) INSG: Changes in nickel production capacity
on the horizon -
pdf here
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Tuesday, March 22
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Monday's trading session at
$3.98/lb
. Indicators
at 6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.04/lb
. Stockpiles of nickel
stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Monday and now total just under
the 431,150 tonne level. AK Steel published April surcharges for stainless
steel and 304 has risen from $.3192/lb to $.3313/lb and 316 has risen from
$.4012/lb to $.4190/lb.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $3.98/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
(Tweet) Standard Chartered says sees average nickel price forecast at $9,875/t
in 2016, $11,275/t in 2017
Brussels Rocked by Deadly Attacks With Blasts at Airport, Subway -
more
February
2016 crude steel production - World crude steel production for the 66 countries
reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 120 million tonnes
(Mt) in February 2016, a -3.3% decrease compared to February 2015. -
more
Major
PH nickel ore miner may hike output as prices recover - The Philippines’
second-biggest nickel ore miner, Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. may boost
its output if nickel prices sustain a rebound from decade-lows amid signs
of a recovery in China’s economy, company officials said on Friday.
-
more
Axiom Mining's
nickel license revoked by Solomon Islands' court - The development of a large
nickel deposit in the Solomon Islands is back to square one this week, as
the nation's highest court ruled that neither of the two firms in Japan and
Australia fighting over the discovery were entitled to the license. -
more
Solomons nickel prospector confident despite court ruling -
more
Closure
of Zambales mines affects local economy - Economic losses mounted and
crime rate rose in the mining town of Sta. Cruz, Zambales, as some 3,000
displaced workers and families failed to find decent jobs after the government
suspended nickel mining operations last year. -
more
Early Warning
Report on Nickel One: Drill Results Imminent - Two weeks ago on March 8,
Nickel One Resources Inc. announced to have started a phase-1 drilling program
on its recently acquired Tyko Project in the Thunder Bay Mining District
of Hemlo in Ontario, Canada. -
more
Bcl Mine
To Cut Costs, Sell Private Jet - Mine is still reviewing its operational
procedures and is in the process of selling its private jet in a bid to cut
costs. -
more
Coiurtesy AISI
- In the week ending March 19, 2016, domestic raw steel production was 1,668,000
net tons while the capability utilization rate was 71.3 percent. Production
was 1,601,000 net tons in the week ending March 19, 2015 while the capability
utilization then was 67.7 percent. The current week production represents
a 4.2 percent increase from the same period in the previous year. Production
for the week ending March 19, 2016 is down 3.1 percent from the previous
week ending March 12, 2016 when production was 1,722,000 net tons and the
rate of capability utilization was 73.6 percent.
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Monday, March 21
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Friday's trading session at
$3.93/lb
. Indicators
at 6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading unchanged and recoverying
from earlier session lows. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses
fell on both Thursday and Friday and start the week just under the 432,250
tonne level. Sad news from Brazil this weekend as former Vale CEO Roger Agnelli
perished in a plane crash. Roger was at the helm of Vale during the boom
days and helped turn the company into a mining behemoth, and becoming a serious
player it nickel production.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $3.99/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
China Has a $590 Billion Problem With Unpaid Bills -
more
Queensland
Nickel: Dam at Clive Palmer's refinery seeping millions of litres of contaminated
water daily - Millions of litres of contaminated water is seeping from a
massive dam at Clive Palmer's north Queensland nickel refinery every day.
-
more
Buyback group to compete with Clive Palmer over refinery control -
more
Sumitomo
wins appeal in Solomons' nickel case - SMM Solomon Ltd has won most of its
appeal against Australia's Axiom Mining over the rights to mine nickel deposits
in Isabel Province in Solomon Islands. -
more
China Nickel
Imports and Exports Data February 2016 - The General Administration of China
Customs released data of China's February 2016 imports and exports of nickel
on Mar.21 (Unit: mt) -
more
1,120MT
of nickel sinks in Palawan - A barge loaded with 1,120 metric tons of nickel
ore sank off the pier of Berong Nickel Corp. (BNC) in Quezon town in Palawan
province on Thursday, a report reaching the Mines and Geosciences Bureau
(MGB) on Friday said. -
more
China's Crude
Steel Output in Jan-Feb Falls by 5.7% to 121,070 t/t - According to data
released on 14th by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, its crude
steel production in January-February was 121,070 thousand tons (abbreviated
as t/t), down 5.7% from the same period last year. If this goes on, it is
likely to show clear signs of a structural improvement in the steel industry,
which the Chinese Government is going to undertake. -
more
Indonesia
hopes four new smelters complete in 2016 -mining official - Indonesia hopes
four new smelters will be completed in 2016, a mining ministry official said
on Wednesday, as low commodity prices continue to create financial problems
for the mining industry and shrink government returns. -
more
Roger Agnelli,
‘Iron Man’ Who Led a Global Mining Giant, Dies at 56 - Roger Agnelli,
a former banking executive who helped turn the Brazilian company Vale into
a global mining giant, died on Saturday when his private plane crashed in
São Paulo, Brazil. He was 56. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Thursday, March 17
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at
$3.93/lb. Indicators at
6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.03/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Wednesday and now total
just under the 434,85 tonne level. Nickel appears to be getting a slight
bump from the fall in the US Dollar, after the US Fed sent a signal it is
not as confident of 2016 growth as it was last year. Or the markets negative
reaction to last years ' first increase' in years has the Fed so worried,
it is afraid to take another step. In the mean time, the market continues
to play with free money..This is our last update for the week, so have a
nice weekend and we will see you Monday.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $3.99/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Global Risks Play Bigger Part in Fed's Rate-Rise Outlook -
more
Shipments
Decline Slows in February, Small Increase in Steel in Canada - The decline
of shipments from 2015 levels slowed somewhat in February for both steel
and aluminum in the United States and actual increased slightly for steel
in Canada. -
more
Weak market
fundamentals likely to check rise of iron, steel commodities - After years
of sluggish performance, Chinese iron and steel futures surged in recent
months thanks to a mismatch between supply and demand, expectations of policy
support and speculation. -
more
Russian
stainless steel imports in 2015 - According to experts of SpetsStal Association,
in 2015, compared with 2014, Russian imports of major stainless steel products
fell by 7.2% to 240,529 tons. -
more
Improve pipeline,
mine told - Mining Minister Byron Chan has requested the operator of the
Ramu Nickel mine in Madang to make further improvement on its pipeline integrity
and monitoring systems. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Wednesday, March 16
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at
$3.89/lb. Indicators
at 6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.02/lb
lower. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehoues rose for a second connsecutive
session on Tuesday and now total just over the 435,700 tonne level. Nickel
looked like it was going to finally beat the $4/lb level last week, but this
week makes it look less likely.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.00/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Queensland’s $100 million clean up bill a dirty warning for PNG -
more
(SSY) Crude steel output at Chinese mills fell by 5.7%, to 121.1 Mt, in January
and February from the same period last year, according to National Bureau
of Statistics data. This represents a slight acceleration in decline from
December when output contracted by 5.2%.
Fed to Signal Worst Is Over, Hikes Coming: Decision-Day Guide -
more
Nickel in
deficit in 2016, but more production cuts needed: Norilsk - Major production
cuts and a substantial draw-down of exchange inventory are needed to trigger
a sustained price recovery in nickel, despite a likely market deficit this
year, Russia's Norilsk Nickel said Tuesday. -
more
Nickel
Fund pays stressed New Caledonians - The New Caledonian government says it
will disburse 5.5 million US dollars of a special Nickel Fund this year to
help exporters and contractors hit by the slump of the nickel price. -
more
As prices
fall, so too do jobs at Australian resource companies - With flagging Chinese
demand and oversupply weighing on commodity prices, Australian resource companies
are slashing jobs to remain competitive. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Tuesday, March 15
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Monday's trading session at
$3.93/lb. Indicators
at 6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.06/lb
lower. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouse rose by nearly 11,300 tonnes on
Monday and now total just over the 434,000 tonne level. Huge inventory gain
as Norilsk calls for production cutbacks from its competitors.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.02/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Bank of Japan Holds Fire on Stimulus, Negative Rate Unchanged -
more
Russia's
Norilsk sees flat global nickel consumption in 2016 - Russia's Norilsk Nickel
reported a 24 percent decline in 2015 core earnings on Tuesday mainly due
to lower prices for its metals and forecast global primary nickel consumption
to remain flat this year. - more
Clive
Palmer nickel refinery collapse: Queensland’s new environment laws -
The Queensland government has opened a new front in its war with Clive Palmer
over his cash-strapped nickel refinery, introducing new laws into parliament
to ensure collapsing companies don’t escape environmental liabilities.
-
more
Palmer to ask Qld Nickel workers to continue -
more
Courtesy AISI
- In the week ending March 12, 2016, domestic raw steel production was 1,722,000
net tons while the capability utilization rate was 73.6 percent. Production
was 1,601,000 net tons in the week ending March 12, 2015 while the capability
utilization then was 67.7 percent. The current week production represents
a 7.6 percent increase from the same period in the previous year. Production
for the week ending March 12, 2016 is up 2.9 percent from the previous week
ending March 5, 2016 when production was 1,673,000 net tons and the rate
of capability utilization was 71.5 percent.
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Monday, March 14
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Friday's trading session at
$3.98/lb. Indicators at
6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.04/lb
lower. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Thursday and Friday and
now total just under the 422,750 tonne level. The $4/lb level is back as
a psychological barrier to traders, with commodities following oil lower
today.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.02/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
China's Stocks Jump on Support Pledge as Deals Spur Developers -
more
Norilsk
calls for nickel production to be reduced - The world’s biggest nickel
producer, Norilsk Nickel, has warned that prices for the metal are unlikely
to rise unless loss making producers start to shut mines and close production.
-
more
Queensland
Nickel Sales aims to reopen refinery end-July, but appeals for govt help
- Clive Palmer’s Queensland Nickel Sales on Monday appealed to the
Queensland government to intervene to allow the Yabulu refinery to reopen.
-
more
Clive Palmer nickel plant closed for at least eight weeks -
more
Clive Palmer's refinery: Sacked workers vote to buy Queensland Nickel -
more
Nickel
shipments diverted as Palmer plant runs out of ore - A rescue plan for a
nickel refinery owned by Australian mining magnate Clive Palmer has stalled,
after ore shipments to the plant were diverted and government regulators
raised concern that the plant lacked adequate resources to operate properly.
-
more
New
Caledonia to allow nickel exports to China, newspaper reports - New Caledonia
will remove restrictions on the sale of nickel ore to China, according to
a report in the Australian newspaper that cited no sources. -
more
Miners
to cut nickel output; exports down 20% - Nickel ore producers have agreed
to slash output and shipments this year by as much as 20 percent, responding
to a slide in the price of the metal to its lowest in over a decade on weak
Chinese demand. -
more
What will
happen to China’s cement production, 30 times that of the US, and steel
production, five times that of the EU, if demand turns sour? - Let’s
allow the pictures to do the talking about excess capacity and then let’s
see how much talk we need of curtailment rather than run and hide. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Thursday, March 10
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at
$4.01/lb
. Indicators
at 6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.03/lb
lower. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Wednesday and now total
just under the 426,800 tonne level. After appearing to have finally beaten
the $4/lb threshold late last week, nickel has slipped back below and now
appears to be struggling with the physiologically important level again.
The Euro is lower today, which is adding negative pressure on commodities.
Our next update will be Monday so we wish each of you a safe and enjoyable
weekend.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.04/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Draghi Marks a Year of QE With Suspense of 'No Limits' Stimulus -
more
Euro dips as ECB sets sights on deeper negative rates -
more
Stainless
steel demand to grow 3% a year through 2019: Outokumpu - Global stainless
steel demand is set to reach 38.0 million mt this year and 39.2 million mt
in and 2017, with global consumption expected to increase at an annual average
growth rate of around 3% from 2016 through 2019, -
more
Palmer's
nickel refinery workers sacked - Workers at Clive Palmer's embattled Yabulu
Refinery have been sacked and don't know if they will be rehired, days after
the federal MP took back control of operations. -
more
Queensland Nickel: Jobs of 550 workers terminated, administrators say; union
says entitlements in doubt -
more
Boliden
buys Finnish nickel, copper mine for $712 mln - Swedish mining and smelting
group Boliden will buy Finnish mine Kevitsa from First Quantum Minerals for
$712 million, Boliden said on Thursday, betting on prospects for higher metal
prices in the longer term. -
more
Mincor
unveils growth strategy as it waits for nickel price recovery - Nickel firm
Mincor Resources on Thursday revealed a two-pronged growth strategy which
would take advantage of the current high gold price and a future recovery
in the nickel price. -
more
Tests in
progress to analyse Ramu slurry - Tests are being carried out to ascertain
if indeed the slurry that was released during last week’s pipeline spillage
at Ramu nickel in Madang is non-toxic. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Wednesday, March 9
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at
$3.91/lb
. Indicators
at 6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.09/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses rose on Tuesday and now total
just over the 428,650 tonne level. After finally breaking thru the $4/lb
level and closing above it for three consecutive sessions, it looked like
nickel had room to run. But yesterday's nose dive has taken the price back
down into well worn pasture, so its anyone's guess what the next few weeks
will bring. Stay tuned..
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.05/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Philippine
miners to cut nickel ore output, exports as price slides - Nickel ore
producers in the Philippines have agreed to slash output and shipments this
year by as much as 20 percent, responding to a slide in the price of the
metal to its lowest in over a decade on weak Chinese demand. -
more
New
Caledonia may allow nickel exports to China as price tumbles - New Caledonia
is weighing lifting restrictions on the sale of nickel ore to China as world
prices for the metal tumble and the future of a key Australian customer is
in doubt. -
more
Queensland
Nickel Sales: Clive Palmer makes nephew sole director of Townsville refinery
- Clive Palmer has changed the management of the company overseeing his
Townsville nickel refinery just days after stepping in to regain control
of Queensland Nickel. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Tuesday, March 8
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Monday's trading session at
$4.25/lb. Indicators at
6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.10/lb
lower. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Monday and now total
just under the 427,250 tonne level. Stocks around the world are getting hit
with news that exports from China fell more than expected in February, and
making it an eighth straight month of losses. Today's news from China, while
concerning, is not enough to de-horn the bull run, but it is a reality check
to world markets.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $4.04/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
China Reality Check Dashes Stocks Rally as Commodities Decline -
more
Ni
SUS Scrap Purchase Price in March JPY95,000 - JPY110,000 = Temperature difference
exists among Kanto, Chubu and Kansai, and demand for export is weak = As
to the purchase price of nickel-containing stainless steel scrap (SABOT)
by stainless steel mills in the Kanto in March, the price cut in the latter
half of February is prevailing and many of the stainless steel mills offer
a buying price at JPY95,000 - JPY110,000. -
more
Queensland
Nickel: Union calls on ASIC to keep close eye on Clive Palmer's refinery
deal - The Australian Workers Union (AWU) is urging the Australian Securities
and Investments Commission (ASIC) to closely examine Clive Palmer's moves
to retake control of Queensland Nickel (QNI). -
more
ASIC urged to block Clive Palmer's 'cynical' move on Qld Nickel -
more
Clive Palmer sacks administrators, resumes control of Queensland Nickel -
more
Dayton lays
out opposition to proposed Twin Metals mine near BWCA - Gov. Mark Dayton
is laying out his opposition to a proposed copper-nickel mine near the Boundary
Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota. -
more
‘World Class’ Chinese slurry pipe burst “unfortunate”
– but no apology - MUD covered a section of the Usino Highway in Madang
when a Ramu NiCo slurry pipe burst and sprayed its content 10 metres into
the air. -
more
Courtesy AISI
- In the week ending March 5, 2016, domestic raw steel production was 1,673,000
net tons while the capability utilization rate was 71.5 percent. Production
was 1,631,000 net tons in the week ending March 5, 2015 while the capability
utilization then was 68.9 percent. The current week production represents
a 2.6 percent increase from the same period in the previous year. Production
for the week ending March 5, 2016 is down 1.1 percent from the previous week
ending February 27, 2016 when production was 1,692,000 net tons and the rate
of capability utilization was 72.4 percent.
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Monday, March 7
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Friday's trading session at
$4.23/lb. Indicators at
6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.01/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Thursday and Friday and
now total just over the 430,600 tonne level. Today's stockpile numbers fell
below the year over year level for the first time in years. On March 6th
of last year, stockpiles numbers totaled 431,952 tonnes, 1,350 tonnes over
today's total. Nickel traders took nickel over $4/lb last week, and were
not only successful in breaching and holding above that psychological level,
but have pushed prices higher. This appears to be part of a larger bullish
mood shift toward commodities in general.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $3.98/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
Specter of $20 Oil Recedes as Speculators Flee Bearish Bets -
more
Unexpected
headwinds keep commodity prices lower for longer - A faster-than-expected
slowdown in demand for commodities in 2015 has placed a damper on broad-based
commodity price recoveries in 2016, compounded by lacklustre global economic
growth and record inventories, which will take time to work down as production
cutbacks and mine closures take effect. -
more
Palmer
wrests back management control of Qld nickel refinery - Australian mining
magnate Clive Palmer has taken back management control of his Queensland
Nickel refinery, securing a conditional loan of A$23 million ($17 million)
to support the business, Palmer and QNI's administrators said on Monday.
-
more
No help for Qld Nickel from federal govt - The immediate future of Clive
Palmer's embattled Townsville refinery has been cast into further doubt after
federal Treasurer Scott Morrison ruled out providing direct financial assistance.
-
more
Palmer must go before any government bailout -
more
China opposes
US trade probe into Chinese stainless steel - China is highly concerned about
frequent trade investigations by the United States into Chinese high-end
steel products, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Saturday in a statement.
-
more
Slurry Spill
Ramu Nickel Mine’s Responsibility - Following a slurry spill on Wednesday
of last week, concerned locals around Usino Bundi are concerned the spill
has seeped into the water they use for drinking and cooking. -
more
Huge Minnesota
copper-nickel mine clears environmental hurdle - Annual production of 72
million pounds copper, 15.4 million pounds nickel, 720,000 pounds cobalt
and 106,000 ounces of precious metals at stake -
more
Protesters
demand closure of Zambales nickel mine for ‘polluting sea, rivers,
farms’ - Some 50 members of the Kalikasan People’s Network for
the Environment (PNE) protested at the DM Consunji Inc. office in Makati
City on Thursday morning and demanded the closure of the company’s nickel
mine in Zambales. -
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Thursday, March 3
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Wednesday's trading session at
$3.95/lb
. Indicators
at 6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.05/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Wednesday and now total
just under the 438,150 tonne level. The $4/lb level continues to set up a
psychological block on traders, but a stonger Euro is helping sentiment today.
Industry news has been quiet this week. Our next update will be Monday -
we wish you each a safe and relaxing weekend.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $3.92/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
European Stock Rally Runs Out of Steam; Oil Falls, Bonds Rise -
more
Snail’s
pace to remedy riles critics - The livelihoods of 550 Townsville families
hang in the balance, with State and Federal governments locked in a spat
over Queensland Nickel. -
more
South
Africa's Exxaro may buy Anglo American coal mines: CEO - South African coal
miner Exxaro Resources is considering buying assets from Anglo American,
its chief executive said on Thursday. -
more
3rd Portland
Company In Toxic Metal Pollution Spotlight - A third Portland company faces
scrutiny for toxic metal pollution. At a meeting of the Milwaukie City Council
Tuesday, state environmental regulators said they will delay issuing a new
air quality permit for Precision Castparts due to concerns over metal emissions.
-
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Wednesday, March 2
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Tuesday's trading session at
$3.94/lb
. Indicators
at 6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.07/lb
higher, and just over
the $4/lb level. Stockpiles of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses rose
on Tuesday and now total just over the 440,500 tonne level. Asian markets
ended higher, and European markets are trading higher, although off earlier
highs as oil turns negative. A close above $4/lb could be a big psychological
boost for the market as Australia's Queensland Nickel woes grow.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month - $3.87/lb
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
European Stocks Rise as Green Shoots Surface; Bonds, Yen Slide -
more
Drilling
dive highlights nickel woes - WA’s once-booming nickel industry is a
shadow of its former self and explorers have put their cues in the rack.-
more
Qld Nickel
refinery death may be imminent - A union says everything needs to be done
to stop Clive Palmer's nickel refinery being wound up by the end of the week.
-
more
Clive Palmer's Queensland Nickel begins closing temporarily over lack of
ore -
more
Clive’s losses felt in New Caledonia - There are fears about 300 New
Caledonian workers could lose their jobs if Clive Palmer’s flailing
Queensland Nickel company is shut down. -
more
Sumitomo
To Boost Production Of Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide As It Targets Supply
Deal For Tesla Model 3 - With goals to supply Tesla with battery materials
for the upcoming Model 3, Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM), is boosting production
-
more
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
Tuesday, March 1
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
Three month nickel closed Monday's trading session at
$3.93/lb. Indicators at
6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.03/lb
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Monday and now total
just under the 439,950 tonne level. Glencore reported huge losses due to
low commodity prices, much the same as Vale did last week. Media reports
that Ambatovy has resumed shipping, after a spat with the Madagascar government
has been resolved.
Average price of cash nickel so far this month -
Average price of LME traded nickel in 2014 - $7.65/lb / 2013 - $6.80/lb /
avg 2012 - $7.95/lb /
(USGS) Metal Prices in the United States Through 2010 -
pdf
here
(SSY) January saw Japanese steel exports fall to the lowest monthly level
since April 2012, at 3.2 Mt, down from 3.6 Mt in December 2015 and 3.4 Mt
in January 2015, according to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation. This was
largely due to a decline in shipments to Asian countries, down by 8%
month-on-month to 2.4 Mt
Norilsk Nickel: World's Largest Nickel And Palladium Producer Significantly
Undervalued -
more
Stocks Climb With Emerging Markets as China Calms Global Unease -
more
EU repeals anti-dumping duty imposed on imports of certain iron or steel
fasteners originating in PRC -
more
El Niño continues to influence global climate as it weakens -
more
Glencore
reveals $5 billion loss after commodities rout bites - Grim annual figures
from Ivan Glasenberg’s Glencore mining and trading empire were dripping
with red ink as the worst commodities rout in decades sent it tumbling to
a $5 billion (£3.6 billion) loss. -
more
Sherritt
to Resume Shipments from Ambatovy Mine - Mining Weekly reported that Sherritt
International Ltd. will resume shipments from its Madagascar-based Ambatovy
mine on Monday. -
more
Anti-mining
barricade continues in Zambales; cops arrest 11 protesters - Residents in
the towns of Candelaria and Sta. Cruz in Zambales province have been barricading
a national road to prevent mining companies from hauling extracted nickel
ore to a local port. -
more
New Mining
Law Indonesia: Full Mineral Ore Export Ban Delayed Again? - By September
2016 the Indonesian government plans to have revised regulations regarding
exports of mineral ore, part of Law No. 4/2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining
(New Mining Law). -
more
Courtesy AISI
- In the week ending February 27, 2016, domestic raw steel production was
1,692,000 net tons while the capability utilization rate was 72.4 percent.
Production was 1,705,000 net tons in the week ending February 27, 2015 while
the capability utilization then was 72.4 percent. The current week production
represents a -0.8 percent decrease from the same period in the previous year.
Production for the week ending February 27, 2016 is down 0.4 percent from
the previous week ending February 20, 2016 when production was 1,699,000
net tons and the rate of capability utilization was 72.7 percent.
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
Today's almost official prices
here / Yesterday's actual
LME official prices
here
or
here
Shanghai Jinchuan nickel price - available
here
or
here(updated)
Please let us know if any of these links stop working, stop carrying
info, or become available to subscriber's only. We encourage our readers
to use the services of those companies who supply news and information free
of charge.Contact
us
"A Guide To LME
Trading"...pdf here(all ton listings are metric
tons = 2204.622 pounds ) Updated Monday thru Thursday before 8 am CST -
DisclaimerOriginal content and opinions copyright
www.estainlesssteel.com. All prices shown on this page
are indications only. Note - For real time and official LME prices, LME requires
a user subscribe to an authorized LME vendor.
Daily
Nickel/Stainless Steel Briefing
(8:00 AM CST is 1PM in London)
. Indicators
at 6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.05/lb
Reports
Commodity/Economic Comments
Kosovo
ferro-nickel producer to halt production due to low prices - Kosovo
ferro-nickel producer Ferronikeli said on Wednesday it will halt production
from next month for at least 90 days because of low nickel prices. -
Strong global demand seen to boost investments in nickel exploration
- The high global demand for nickel, particularly for the manufacturing of
public transport vehicles, is expected to drive investments in exploration
for more reserves in the Philippines, according to market research firm
TechNavio. -
Philippines' major nickel miner seals China supply deals - Global Ferronickel
Holdings Inc FNI.PS , the Philippines' second-biggest nickel ore miner, signed
contracts with Chinese buyers, including Baosteel, equivalent to about 90
percent of its nickel ore output target for this year, it said on Monday.
-
Glencore maintains New Caledonia stake - The Swiss-based mining
conglomerate Glencore has confirmed its commitment to New Caledonia's Koniambo
nickel plant. -
Australian
prospector goes Hollywood as mining bust bites - Movie making has joined
pursuits such as egg farming, the growing of medical marijuana and beauty
products as another way for struggling mining companies to weather one of
the industry's worst downturns in decades. -
Courtesy AISI
- In the week ending March 26, 2016, domestic raw steel production was 1,675,000
net tons while the capability utilization rate was 71.6 percent. Production
was 1,601,000 net tons in the week ending March 26, 2015 while the capability
utilization then was 67.7 percent. The current week production represents
a 4.6 percent increase from the same period in the previous year. Production
for the week ending March 26, 2016 is up 0.4 percent from the previous week
ending March 19, 2016 when production was 1,668,000 net tons and the rate
of capability utilization was 71.3 percent.
Morning Nickel
Price Statistics & Figures
higher. Stockpiles
of nickel stored in LME approved warehouses fell on Wednesday and now total
just over the 432,650 tonne level. Quiet news day. Our next update will be
on Monday - have a safe and relaxing weekend.
Solomon
Islands apologises to Australian nickel miner after 'misleading' press release
- As rival mining companies fight over a nickel deposit in the Solomon Islands,
the Prime Minister's office has been forced to retract a statement it issued
earlier in the week, admitting quotes attributed to the Prime Minister had
not been made by him. -
. Indicators
at 6:00 am CST today show 3 month nickel trading around $.02/lb
February
2016 crude steel production - World crude steel production for the 66 countries
reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 120 million tonnes
(Mt) in February 2016, a -3.3% decrease compared to February 2015. -
Early Warning
Report on Nickel One: Drill Results Imminent - Two weeks ago on March 8,
Nickel One Resources Inc. announced to have started a phase-1 drilling program
on its recently acquired Tyko Project in the Thunder Bay Mining District
of Hemlo in Ontario, Canada. -
Bcl Mine
To Cut Costs, Sell Private Jet - Mine is still reviewing its operational
procedures and is in the process of selling its private jet in a bid to cut
costs. -
China Nickel
Imports and Exports Data February 2016 - The General Administration of China
Customs released data of China's February 2016 imports and exports of nickel
on Mar.21 (Unit: mt) -
Indonesia
hopes four new smelters complete in 2016 -mining official - Indonesia hopes
four new smelters will be completed in 2016, a mining ministry official said
on Wednesday, as low commodity prices continue to create financial problems
for the mining industry and shrink government returns. -
Roger Agnelli,
‘Iron Man’ Who Led a Global Mining Giant, Dies at 56 - Roger Agnelli,
a former banking executive who helped turn the Brazilian company Vale into
a global mining giant, died on Saturday when his private plane crashed in
São Paulo, Brazil. He was 56. -
Improve pipeline,
mine told - Mining Minister Byron Chan has requested the operator of the
Ramu Nickel mine in Madang to make further improvement on its pipeline integrity
and monitoring systems. -
Stainless
steel demand to grow 3% a year through 2019: Outokumpu - Global stainless
steel demand is set to reach 38.0 million mt this year and 39.2 million mt
in and 2017, with global consumption expected to increase at an annual average
growth rate of around 3% from 2016 through 2019, -
Boliden
buys Finnish nickel, copper mine for $712 mln - Swedish mining and smelting
group Boliden will buy Finnish mine Kevitsa from First Quantum Minerals for
$712 million, Boliden said on Thursday, betting on prospects for higher metal
prices in the longer term. -
Ni
SUS Scrap Purchase Price in March JPY95,000 - JPY110,000 = Temperature difference
exists among Kanto, Chubu and Kansai, and demand for export is weak = As
to the purchase price of nickel-containing stainless steel scrap (SABOT)
by stainless steel mills in the Kanto in March, the price cut in the latter
half of February is prevailing and many of the stainless steel mills offer
a buying price at JPY95,000 - JPY110,000. -
Unexpected
headwinds keep commodity prices lower for longer - A faster-than-expected
slowdown in demand for commodities in 2015 has placed a damper on broad-based
commodity price recoveries in 2016, compounded by lacklustre global economic
growth and record inventories, which will take time to work down as production
cutbacks and mine closures take effect. -
South
Africa's Exxaro may buy Anglo American coal mines: CEO - South African coal
miner Exxaro Resources is considering buying assets from Anglo American,
its chief executive said on Thursday. -
Glencore
reveals $5 billion loss after commodities rout bites - Grim annual figures
from Ivan Glasenberg’s Glencore mining and trading empire were dripping
with red ink as the worst commodities rout in decades sent it tumbling to
a $5 billion (£3.6 billion) loss. -
Sherritt
to Resume Shipments from Ambatovy Mine - Mining Weekly reported that Sherritt
International Ltd. will resume shipments from its Madagascar-based Ambatovy
mine on Monday. -
