Indonesia dominates the list of largest nickel mining locations in the world. Five of the ten largest nickel sites in the world are in Indonesia.
Nickel has played a vital role in energy transition efforts. The high demand for nickel makes many producing countries make big profits.
According to predictions from the International Energy Agency (IEA), nickel demand will increase significantly, by around 65%, by the end of this decade.
In recent years, demand for nickel for electric vehicle (EV) battery production has shown an increase.
In addition, Nasdaq shows that the stainless steel industry accounts for most of the world’s nickel demand to date.
Referring to mining-technology.com data as of June 2024, here are the 10 largest nickel mines in the world:
1. Veda Bay Project
The largest nickel mine in the world is in Meda Bay, Maluku, Indonesia. The Weda Bay project is owned by Tsingshan Holding Group. In 2023, the mine is estimated to produce 516.7 thousand tons of nickel. The nickel mine in Weda Bay will still operate until 2069.
2. PT Project. Halmahera Persada Lygend
Still in Indonesia, the next largest nickel mine is the PT project. Halmahera Persada Lygend in North Maluku. The project is owned by Ningbo Lygend Mining. In 2023, this mine will be able to produce 95.18 thousand tons of nickel.
3. Taganito Mine
Next is the Taganito Mine which is in Surigao del Norte, Philippines. The mine is owned by Manila-based Nickel Asia. This site will succeed in producing up to 70.41 thousand tons of nickel in 2023.
4. Sorowako Mine
Next there is the Sorowako Mine which is again in Indonesia, specifically in South Sulawesi. This mine has produced around 64.1 thousand tons of nickel in 2023. The high nickel content means that this mine will only close in 2045.
5. PT Project. Huayue Nickel Cobalt
The next nickel mine is also on Sulawesi Island, precisely in Central Sulawesi. PT project. Huayue Nickel Cobalt is owned by Huayou Cobalt. In 2023, this mine will have produced 42 thousand tons of nickel.
6. Ambatovy Project
The next mine is part of the Ambatovy Project located in Atsinanana, Madagascar. This mine is owned by Sumitomo Corporation. The mine is estimated to produce 40.95 thousand tons of nickel in 2023 and will still operate until 2048.
7. Cerro Matoso Mine
The Cerro Matoso mine located in Cordoba, Colombia, is owned by South32 Ltd. based in Perth, Western Australia. This nickel mine is estimated to produce 40.8 thousand tonnes of nickel in 2023 and is designed to operate until 2036.
8. Rio Tuba Mine
The Rio Tuba Mine is an open pit mine located in Palawan, Philippines. This mine, owned by Nickel Asia, is projected to operate until 2028. In 2023, the Rio Tuba site will produce 39.2 thousand tons of nickel.
9. Oktyabrsky Mine
The next mine is the Oktyabrsky Mine owned by MMC Norilsk Nickel. The underground mine located in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, is estimated to produce 36.18 thousand tons of nickel in 2023. The potential for nickel is still very large, so this mine is projected to close in 2052.
10. Pakal Island Mine
The last largest nickel mine on this list is the Pakal Island Mine which is again in Indonesia, specifically in North Maluku. This mine is owned by Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID) and is capable of producing up to 35.97 thousand tons of nickel in 2023. It is not yet clear when nickel dredging at this site will end
Source : international.kontan.co.id
Source: www.mining-indonesia.com
