Australia expanded its list of critical minerals deemed crucial to its energy transition and national security needs as the country boosts the strategically and economically important sector.

Nickel Industries and Glencore have entered into a maiden nickel matte sales contract to commence in January 2024.

Indonesia's production capacity of nickel metal is expected to hit 2.2 million metric tons in 2023, said Septian Hario Seto, a deputy minister in Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, said on Wednesday.

Global commodity trader Trafigura on Friday said it has signed a $140 million investment agreement with Korea Zinc to build an all-in-one nickel refinery in Ulsan, South Korea, and finance its initial working capital.

Negotiators for EU governments and lawmakers reached a deal on Monday on targets for domestic supply of critical minerals such as lithium and nickel to reduce its reliance on third countries, principally China.

The London Metal Exchange (LME) said on Friday it had received an new application to list a Chinese nickel brand, as it seeks to boost liquidity in its nickel contract.

The London Metal Exchange (LE) has launched new collaboration with its Chinese rival, the Shanghai Futures Exchange, LME chief executive Matthew Chamberlain said on October 10.

According to sources, a new Singapore-based commodities exchange, preparing to roll-out a futures contract for nickel used in electric vehicles (EVs), also aims to add contracts for other metals used in EV batteries.