World crude steel production for the 65 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 136 million tonnes (Mt) in June 2015, a -2.4% decrease compared to June 2014.

Canada-based First Quantum Minerals has started recommissional work at the Ravensthorpe nickel mine, in Western Australia.

Reuters reported that while the prospect of nickel supply tightness has “put a floor under prices,” a true recovery won’t happen until Chinese stainless steel mills increase their orders. When that happens, global stockpiles of the metal should begin to sin...

Reuters reported that small Australian miners are being hit by the 30-percent nickel price slump that’s hit the market this year. Some have had to delay projects and expansions.

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.

[Ferro-Alloys.com]According to China Customs data, China's imported chrome ores totaled around 0.94 million tonnes in June, increasing by 7.8% over the previous month.

[Ferro-Alloys.com]A large high-carbon ferrochrome producer in Hunan told Ferro-Alloys.com that the company planned to increase its ferrochrome output in October by putting another furnace into production.