TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Nickel has been a hot topic in Indonesia following last week's election debate during which vice presidential candidate number 2, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, accused his rival candidate number 1, Muhaimin Iskandar, of being anti-nickel, as the latter's campaign team co-captain Thomas Lembong often claimed that nickel was losing popularity to lithium ferro-phosphate (LFP) in the global electric vehicle market.

The debate over nickel, including its use for EV batteries, continued. Several ministers backed President Jokowi’s eldest son and questioned Lembong’s statement. They include the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Luhut Pandjaitan, Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, and former Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi.

Countries with the world's largest nickel reserves

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) 2021 report, eight countries hold the largest nickel reserves globally. The total global nickel reserves amount to approximately 300 million metric tons, with about 60% in laterites and 40% in sulfide deposits.

However, nickel production reached only 2.7 million metric tons, up from 2.51 million metric tons in the previous year.

Here is the list of the top eight countries with the largest nickel reserves in the world:

1. Indonesia

Indonesia is home to about 21 million metric tons of nickel. In 2021, the world's fourth-most populous country produced one million metric tons of nickel, an increase of 229,000 metric tons from the previous year's production of 771,000 metric tons. The nickel is mainly concentrated in its eastern regions, including Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua.

2. Australia

Australia also has at least 21 million metric tons of nickel. Mineral production amounted to around 160,000 metric tons in 2021, down from 169,000 metric tons in 2020. Western Australia is the main source of nickel in the country, accounting for 90%, followed by Queensland with 5% and New South Wales with 4%.

3. Brazil

Brazil has at least 16 million metric tons of nickel resources, of which only 100,000 metric tons were dredged in 2021. The Brazilian state of Goias had the largest mine production of nickel in 2021, amounting to 41,734 metric tons, followed by Para with 19,090 metric tons and Bahia with 15,180 metric tons.

4. Russia

The next largest nickel reserves belong to Russia. The total nickel stock in the country, which is currently in conflict with Ukraine, is estimated at 7.5 million metric tons. In 2021, it reportedly mined 250,000 metric tons of nickel.

5. The Philippines

Along with Indonesia, the Philippines also has the largest nickel reserves in the Southeast Asia region at 4.8 million metric tons. The country saw a rise in nickel production in 2021, with output expanding from 334,000 metric tons in 2020 to 370,000 metric tons in 2021.

6. China

China reportedly holds 2.8 million metric tons of nickel. The country led by President Xi Jinping was capable of producing around 120,000 metric tons of nickel in 2020 and in 2021. Ganzu province is the largest nickel producer in China accounting for 62 percent, followed by Xinjiang (11.6 percent), Yunnan (8.9 percent), Jilin (4.4 percent), Hubei (3.4 percent), and Sichuan (3.3 percent).

7. Canada

The United States Geological Survey found that Canada is home to two million metric tons of nickel. However, the country produced only 167,000 metric tons in 2020 and 130,000 metric tons in 2021. Nickel in Canada is found primarily in Sudbury, Ontario, as well as in Manitoba and Voisey's Bay, Labrador.

8. United States

The United States is included in the list of the top eight countries with the largest nickel reserves in the world. With a total reserve of 340,000 metric tons, the country produced 16,700 metric tons of nickel in 2020 and 18,000 metric tons in 2021. Its nickel mines could only be found in Michigan.

ANDIKA DWI | MELYNDA DWI PUSPITA

Editor's Choice: 10 World's Largest Nickel-Producing Countries; Indonesia Tops the List

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