China Nickel ores imports in Jan-Apr 2021.

The Philippine government data show that despite the New Crown epidemic led to some projects to reduce production, the Philippines' nickel production in 2020 still achieved a 3% year-on-year increase.

Global nickel production is about 5 billion pounds a year, divided equally between grade 1 high-purity nickel from sulphide deposits and grade 2 nickel from laterite deposits.

Chinese import volume of nickel ore increased in October

The Philippine mining audit has led to the suspension of 10 mines with 20 more at risk. The clampdown stoked worries about supply of nickel from the Philippines last year, helping spur a 14-percent rally in global prices.

Philippine is expected to experience deeper setback in its metals output this quarter after seeing a continuous decline in the production in the first nine months of the year.

Brazil’s Vale (NYSE:VALE), the world’s No.1 iron-ore producer, saw a slight decline in second-quarter output, but still managed to beat beat analysts’ estimates, keeping a new annual production record in sight.

In early Apr., the nickel ores stock in main ports of China turned stable after 5months’ decline