Japanese nickel production in 11 months up by 32pct YoY

TEX reported that the production activities of nickel metal and ferronickel in Japan in January to November 2010 period as well as in a single month of November 2010 were known in last week.  Accordingly, the quantities produced in Japan for the calendar year of 2010 are estimated to be 39,800 tonnes of nickel metal by an increase of 32% from that in the preceding year of 2009 and 65,500 tonnes of nickel in ferronickel by an increase of 11% from that in 2009.  In November of 2010, Japan produced nickel metal: 2,699 tonnes and ferronickel: 5,119 tonnes on nickel content base (corresponding to 26,987 tonnes on material base).  Reflecting the facts that Sumitomo Metal Mining increased their production of nickel metal in 2010 and Pacific Metals also increased their production of ferronickel in 2010, which had been supported by the revived demand for ferronickel from domestic market and the high level of its exports.  information from TEX Report Limited