China's refined nickel production was 22,545 tonnes in November, down 3.47% from October, but rising 48.98% from last year, per Mysteel survey of 15 sample smelters.
Source: Mysteel
The production totaled 220,667 tonnes over January-November, up 37.38% year on year.
China's refined nickel operating capacity reported 26,667 tonnes as of November, with an operating rate of 92.38% against an installed capacity of 28,867 tonnes.
Looking back on November, production cuts were heard in Northwest China, East China, and Central China, though the smelters in Gansu, Jilin, and Tianjin ran normally, and new production lines in South China came on stream.
The refined nickel production growth slowed mainly due to narrowing production profits amid falling nickel prices.
In December, there will be new production lines put into production in East China. And the monthly production is estimated at 23,300 tonnes, rising 4.68% month on month and 43.55% from last year.
Written by Aggie Hu, huchenying@mysteel.com
