9 World’s Biggest Nickel Producing Countries

9 World’s Biggest Nickel Producing Countries

9 World’s Biggest Nickel Producing Countries – According to the United States Geological Survey, there are 9 World’s Biggest Nickel Producing Countries in 2020.  Basically, these countries have huge production of Nickel from time to time.

9 World’s Biggest Nickel Producing Countries

Functionally, Nickel has resistant to corrosion and can used to plate other metals to protect them. Furthermore, Nickel can be mainly used in making alloys such as stainless steel. In industrial sectors, Nickel can be used in batteries materials, including rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries used in hybrid vehicles.

Overall, in 2020, the world’s production of Nickel was around 2,510,000 tons. Furthermore, based on country, there are 9 World’s Biggest Nickel Producing Countries in 2020. All of these data were obtained from United States Geological Survey (a scientific agency of the United States government)

The Rank  World’s Biggest Nickel Producing Countries  

RanksProducersNickel Production in 2020
(Tonnes)
1Indonesia771,000
2Phillipines334,000
3Russia283,000
4New Caledonia200,000
5Australia169,000
6Canada167,000
7China120,000
8Brazil77,100
9United States16,700
Source : United States Geological Survey, 2022


Brief Descriptions of 9 World’s Biggest Nickel Producing Countries

9 World’s Biggest Nickel Producing Countries - Brief Descriptions

1.Indonesia      

Indonesia still becomes the biggest producer of Nickel in 2020. According to the United States Geological Survey, the production of Nickel from Indonesia reached 771,000 tonnes. According to Ministry Of Energy and Mineral Resources Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia has a nickel mine of 520,877.07 hectares (ha). Geographically, in Indonesia, the nickel mines are spread across seven provinces, including the Provinces of Maluku, North Maluku (Maluku Utara), Papua, West Papua (Papua Barat), South Sulawesi (Sulawesi Selatan), Central Sulawesi (Sulawesi Tengah) and Southeast Sulawesi (Sulawesi Tenggara).

Southeast Sulawesi (Sulawesi Tenggara) has the largest nickel mine in Indonesia with an area of 198,624.66 ha. One of the nickel mines that can be found in the province is in Konawe Regency with an area of 21,100 ha. In the second biggest Nickel Mines in Indonesia, there is Central Sulawesi with a nickel mine of 115,397.37 ha. Meanwhile, the third biggest of nickel mines is in South Sulawesi amounting to 198,624.66 ha.

In its nickel exploration in Indonesia, there are some nickel companies that have huge production of Nickel production. Some of the Nickel Companies in Indonesia are PT Vale Indonesia Tbk, PT Aneka Tambang Tbk, PT Central Omega Resources Tbk,  PT Ifishdeco Tbk, and PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park.

2.Philippines      

The Philippines is the 2nd biggest producer of Nickel in 2020. According to United States Geological Survey, the production of Nickel from Philippines reached 334,000 tonnes. In Philippines, Some Nickel Mines Are Spread Over In Some Regions Including CARAGA REGION, THE ISLAND OF PALAWAN, TAWI-TAWI (Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)). In Philippines, Nickel Asia Corp and Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc are some of the biggest nickel mining companies that has operation in Philippines.

3.Russia             

Russia is the 3rd biggest producer of Nickel in 2020. Statistically, according to United States Geological Survey, the production of Nickel from Russia reached 283,000 tonnes. Geographically, in Russia, there are some nickel mining areas. Some of the nickel mining areas are  Oktyabrsky Mine, Komsomolsky Mine, Taimyrsky Mine, Skalisty Mine, and Kola MMC Mine. Based on Nickel Industries, Norilsk Nickel is the biggest nickel mining company in Russia and one of the biggest mining companies in the World.

4.New Caledonia           

New Caledonia is the 4th biggest producer of Nickel in 2020. Statistically, according to the United States Geological Survey, the production of New Caledonia’s Nickel reached 200,000 tonnes. In New Caledonia, the major nickel mines are located in Goro, Thio, Koniambo, Kouaoua, Nepoui – Kopeto and Etoile du Nord, and Tiebaghi. Based on companies, Nickel Mining Company (NMC), Prony  are some of the nickel mining companies in New Caledonia

5.Australia        

Australia is the 5th biggest producer of Nickel in 2020. Statistically, the production of Nickel from Australia reached 169,000 tonnes. Geographically, Western Australia still becomes the major source of Nickel in Australia. Some of nickel deposits can be found in Kambalda, Perseverance,Yakibindie, Cosmos, Revensthorpe, Mt Keith Satellite project, Cassini, and Savannah. Based on Nickel companies, Glencore Plc, BHP Group Limited and IGO limited are some of the biggest nickel mining companies in Australia.

6.Canada           

Canada is the 6th biggest producer of Nickel in 2020. According to United States Geological Survey, the production of Nickel from Canada reached 167,000 tonnes. Geographically, there are some mining nickel areas in Canada. Some of the Nickel exploration areas in Canada are Raglan Mines, Voisey’s Bay Mine, Sudbury Area Mine, Coleman Mine, and Nunavik Nickel Project. Based on nickel industries, there are some biggest nickel companies in Canada. Some of the companies are   First Quantum Minerals Ltd, Lundin Mining Corp, HudBay Minerals, Inc, Altius Minerals Corp, and  Noront Resources Ltd.

7.China

China is the 7th biggest producer of Nickel in 2020. According to the United States Geological Survey, the production of Nickel from China reached 120,000 tonnes. As one of the biggest producers of Nickel, China still imported nickel from other countries, Namely Indonesia, Philippines, New Caledonia, Russia, Australia. Based on its nickel production, there are some nickel companies in China . These China-based Nickel Companies are Jinchuan Group International Resources, Tsingshan Holding Group, Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd., Chengtun Mining Group and Huayou.

8.Brazil

Brazil is the 8th biggest producer of Nickel in 2020. According to United States Geological Survey, the production of Nickel from Brazil reached 77,100 tonnes. Geographically, the nickel mining areas in Brazil are located in Goias, Bahia, and Para. Specifically,  Barro Alto and Santa Rita mines  are some of sites areas that huge deposits of nickel. Based on its industries, there are huge company in Nickel exploration sectors in Brazil. These companies include Vale SA , Horizonte Minerals, and Brazilian Nickel Plc.

9.United States

United States of America is the 9th biggest producer of Nickel in 2020. According to United States Geological Survey, the production of Nickel from United States reached 16,700 tonnes. in the USA, Geographically, Eagle Mine in Michigan is the major mining area that has a huge contribution to USA’s Nickel.

Bibliography of 9 World’s Biggest Nickel Producing Countries

United States Geological Survey. 2021.Mineral Commodity Summaries (Nickel). Accessed via https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/nickel-statistics-and-information on January 27th, 2023.

Royal Society of Chemistry. 2023. Nickel. Accessed via https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/28/nickel on January 28th, 2023.

Mustajab,R. 2022.Tambang Nikel Indonesia Tersebar di Tujuh Provinsi pada 2022. Accessed via   https://dataindonesia.id/sektor-riil/detail/tambang-nikel-indonesia-tersebar-di-tujuh-provinsi-pada-2022  on January 23th, 2023.

Government of Western Australia, Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. Nickel. Accessed via https://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/Investors/Nickel-1477.aspx#:~:text=Western%20Australia%20is%20currently%20the,derived%20from%20nickel%20sulphide%20mines on January 28th, 2023.

Statista. Nickel mine production in Brazil in 2020, by state. Accessed via https://www.statista.com/statistics/1026408/brazil-nickel-mine-production-state/ on January 28th, 2023.

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