US and British sanctions imposed on Russian nickel, copper and aluminum will further increase price volatility and supply uncertainty, Russian metals-producing giant Norilsk Nickel said on Tuesday.

Australian explorer Aston Minerals (ASX: ASO) has updated the JORC compliant indicated tonnage estimate at the Boomerang nickel-cobalt sulphide system by 44%.

Shares of Glencore-backed Horizonte Minerals (AIM, TSX: HZM) plunged on Monday after the company announced it has failed to secure additional financing needed to complete the construction of its Araguaia nickel project in Brazil.

Washington and London on Friday prohibited metal-trading exchanges from accepting new aluminum, copper and nickel produced by Russia and barred the import of the metals into the US and Britain.

French mining group Eramet said on Wednesday it had reached an agreement with the French government to continue its subsidiary SLN’s mining operations in New Caledonia’s Northern Province.

More than 25 global auto and battery makers have expressed interest in buying nickel from Australia-listed producer Nickel Industries' new Indonesian plant, CEO Justin Werner said on Tuesday, in the latest boost to Indonesia's nickel dominance.

Macquarie said that the cost of producing low-grade nickel pig iron (NPI) in China will be the key to determining nickel prices. Nickel prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) are down 45% in 2023 and are under further pressure.

Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest has called on China to demand higher environmental standards from its global supply chain, particularly its companies conducting nickel processing in Indonesia, the Financial Times said on Sunday.