The nickel reserves relate to proven reserves in land based deposits. Nickel resources (estimated at twice the amount of nickel reserves) which would encompass sub-economic reserves, i.e. not mineable at a profit are not included in the table. The development of new process technologies will result in the conversion of some resources into the reserve base. Ongoing exploration continues to add to both bases. According to some sources, nickel resources on the sea-bed are many times those located on land. The land resource base is thought to be in excess of 100 years at the present mining rate.

 

Nickel makes up 0.008% of the Earth's crust. When the deeper core of the Earth is included, nickel becomes more abundant, ranking as the fifth most common element after iron, oxygen, silicon and magnesium.  Nickel is economically extracted from deposits of nickel-bearing minerals in the Earth's crust, known as orebodies.

 

Nickel ores are found in many countries, but those with the largest resources include Kazakhstan, India, South Africa, Russia, Australia, Cuba, Canada, New Caledonia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Greece, Indonesia. Important nickel refineries also operate in Norway, Finland, France, Japan and the United Kingdom.

 

Nickel demand

 

Nickel demand in Europe and the Americas decreased in the period 1997-2002 while nickel demand increased in Asia and the former East Bloc countries. Nickel demand is expected to continue its growth pattern of 2-3% per annum.

 

 

 

 

Stainless steels account for about 70% of nickel consumption up from one-third in the past three decades. The market for stainless steel is growing at the rate of about 5-6% per annum.

 

 

Nickel is used in many industrial and consumer products, including stainless steel, magnets, coinage, and special alloys. It is also used for plating and as a green tint in glass. Nickel is pre-eminently an alloy metal, and its chief use is in the nickel steels and nickel cast irons, of which there are innumberable varietes. It is also widely used for many other alloys, such as nickel brasses and bronzes, and alloys with copper, chromium, aluminum, lead, cobalt, silver and gold.

The world's producers sell nickel in many forms, as sheets, powders, pellets, ingots, etc., to thousands of buyers. About 85% of this nickel is used in combination with other metals to make what are known as alloys. About 65% of nickel is used to make stainless steel, the most common grades of which contain 8% to 12% nickel.

 

Nickel can be used in the following products:

 

• alloys such as stainless steel and other corrosion-resistant alloys
• copper-nickel alloy tubing is extensively used in making desalination plants for converting sea water into fresh water
• coinage and nickel steel for armour plate and burglar-proof vaults
• nickel added to glass gives a green colour
• nickel plating provides a protective coating for other metals
• finely divided nickel is a catalyst for hydrogenating vegetable oils
• batteries
• electroplating

Nickel consumption can be summarised as: nickel steels (60%), nickel-copper alloys and nickel silver (14%), malleable nickel, nickel clad and Inconel (9%), plating (6%), nickel cast irons (3%), heat and electric resistance alloys (3%), nickel brasses and bronzes (2%), others (3%).

 

Everyday uses of nickel products

You probably encounter nickel-containing products immediately after you wake up. That's because modern bathrooms typically have nickel-plated handles, hinges and knobs, water faucets and shower heads. Razor blades contain a small amount of nickel as do shaving foils in electric shavers. Even high fashion sinks and toilets are being designed of nickel stainless steels.

Kitchens are also filled with nickel-containing products. Pots and pans, cutlery, refrigerators, stoves, countertops, sinks and even the heating elements on electric stoves are made of alloys that contain nickel.

You will also encounter nickel every day in coinage, watches and other jewellery, in rechargeable batteries that power your portable electronic devices, and in the automobiles, passenger trains and planes that you use to move about.

Nickel is sometimes called the 'hidden' metal, but it can be found virtually everywhere.