Uptake of Class 1 nickel will rise to more than 410,000t in 2022, from 330,000t last year, based on the group's internal forecasts for the metal.

LME nickel stockpiles have declined by 71pc to 75,318t on 14 March from a year earlier.

Nickel surge may have Vale reworking its base metal calculations

Prices briefly retreated after 24 February.

The United States Geological Survey has released a new list of 50 mineral commodities critical to the U.S. economy and national security after an extensive multi-agency assessment.

Vale expects Russia-Ukraine conflict to affect price of nickel, pellets

Benchmark nickel on the London Metal Exchange (LME) surged to its highest value in more than a decade on 22 February.

Nornickel's 2021 net profit stood at $6.97bn, a 92pc increase from the year before.