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

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Nickel is a metallic element with a silvery-white, lustrous appearance. It is widely used in numerous industries but is most popular in the stainless steel industry and the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. 

The demand for nickel continues to grow as the EV industry develops. According to the U.S. Geological Survey of Mineral Commodity Summaries 2022, as cited from Investing News, Indonesia is the top producer of nickel in the world.

Here is a list of the top ten nickel-producing countries in the world, starting with the country ranked tenth to the country ranked first.

10. United States

The US produced 16,700 metric tons (MT) of nickel in 2020 and 18,000 MT in 2021. The only major nickel mining project in the US is the Eagle Mine.

9. Cuba

Cuba produced 51,000 MT of nickel in 2021. Nickel ore exploration in Cuba in 1990 reached 100,000 MT.

8. Brazil

Brazil’s nickel production was recorded at 100,000 MT in 2021. Brazilian miner, Vale, is one of the world’s largest nickel-producing companies.

7. China

China managed to produce relatively consistent amounts of nickel. In 2021, the powerful country contributed 120,000 MT of nickel production to the world. Jinchuan Group is the largest nickel producer in China.

6. Canada

Canada’s nickel production in the North American region continued to decline from 180,000 MT in 2019 to 130,000 MT in 2021. However, it is still among the largest nickel-producing countries, with Glencore in Ontario as one of its key nickel producers.

5. Australia

Australia experienced a decline in ferronickel production to 160,000 MT in 2021, following the crash in nickel prices from 2014 to 2016, which led to the closure of several mines.

4. New Caledonia

Located just off the coast of Australia, this French country produced 190,000 MT of nickel in 2021. New Caledonia resisted selling raw nickel ore to several countries including China to preserve its domestic smelting and refining industry. However, in December 2016, the government agreed to ship two million MT of nickel to China.

3. Russia

Russia’s nickel production reached 250,000 MT in 2021, down by 23,000 MT from the previous year. Russia’s Norilsk Nickel is one of the world’s largest nickel and palladium producers.

2. Philippines

The Philippines is the second largest nickel producer in the world with a total production reaching 370,000 MT in 2021. Known as the Pearl of the Orient, the country has built 30 nickel mines, including Rio Tuba which is under the auspices of Nickel Asia.

1. Indonesia

Indonesia remains the world’s largest nickel producer. With nickel reserves of 21 million MT, the country is capable of producing 1 million MT in 2021. Indonesia is also keen to develop an EV battery industry.

MELYNDA DWI PUSPITA | INVESTINGNEWS.COM | PUBS.USGS.GOV

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