According to industry reports, the Pipestone XL project in Newfoundland, Canada, is advancing its awaruite (Ni₃Fe) nickel-cobalt deposit to supply the North American defense and energy storage sectors. Awaruite, a naturally occurring, sulfur-free magnetic alloy containing approximately 77% nickel, enables the production of a high-grade ~60% nickel concentrate through simple magnetic separation and flotation. This unique metallurgical profile completely bypasses carbon-intensive pyrometallurgical smelting and early hydrometallurgical stages like high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL).

Boliden's Q4 Nickel Production Up 6.35% YoY Last Week Boliden released its Q4 2024 production report, showing nickel matte production at 11,715 mt (metal content), up 8.53% MoM and 6.35% YoY; nickel concentrate production at 2,849 mt (metal content), up 7.23% MoM and 11.29% YoY.