While in recent years the nickel market has grown at a healthy rate, virtually all of this growth has been taken by nickel pig iron, leaving the main suppliers with what is, in effect, a flat market. In the near term, according to Intierra Resource Intelligence, the nickel industry faces an era of relatively low prices, certainly in relation to the cost of new production. Against this background, the upsurge in production from new projects raises fears that available supply cannot be absorbed by the market.

Intierra’s Director of Base Metals, Paul Dewison, presented a paper entitled “Nickel Industry Control and Market Dynamics” at the 3rd Euro Nickel Conference in Helsinki, Finland on May 8th. In his paper, he explored these supply issues, the companies most likely to be impacted, and what lies in store for them as the market dynamics unfold. The 3rd Euro Nickel Conference 2012, held from May 8-9 2012 at the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre, is an important meeting for nickel miners, stainless steel producers, traders and bankers.