RANKED: World’s top 10 nickel projects
DeepGreen Metals chairman and CEO Gerard Barron (right) in discussion at sea. Credit: DeepGreen Metals.
While nickel is mostly used for stainless steel, the base metal has begun to take centre stage in the production of batteries in electric vehicles, as it is expected that original equipment manufacturers will increasingly use high-nickel cathode battery chemistries.
The global nickel market is currently running at a surplus, but a supply deficit is expected to form in 2027 – and remain as demand accelerates.
The shift in market dynamics is already being reflected in the price of nickel, which recently surged to its highest since 2014. Prices are now approaching what market participants believe to be a key level for unlocking fresh supply.