Even longer term, the picture is much the same. BMO anticipates a nickel price of $7.25 in 2017 and $8 in 2018; earlier it had predicted a nickel price of $11 in both years.

At the end of 2014, many market watchers anticipated positive price action in the nickel space in the near term.

“Our philosophy is to test often, and if possible, to test in space (…) We are innovating on every level from design to launch,” Planetary Resources president and chief engineer, Chris Lewicki, said.

Base metals prices are feeling the undertow but Stefan Ioannou, mining analyst with Haywood Securities, says that this is temporary—and that investors may not have to wait long for the next wave of higher zinc and nickel prices. Ioannou says zinc prices could...

The Philippines nickel mining company Nickel Asia Corp. reported a 25% increase in its neciel ore output for the first six months compared to the same time a year ago.

Canada’s Sherritt International Corporation said the nickel output for the Ambatovy Joint Venture totaled 3,410 tons (100% basis) in June, down by 12% compared to the last month.

While metal prices have bounced back from last week's panicked sell-off, they are still trading at multi-year lows.

Billions wiped from mining sector as gold, silver prices fall and copper, iron ore prices plummet to 2009 levels amid Chinese stock market collapse