PT Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) has reinforced its sustainability framework by integrating advanced Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) and wastewater tracking (Sispek) directly with Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment (KLH) servers. As of early 2026, 37 tenants have completed independent external safety audits (SMK3) to ensure high operational standards. Beyond environmental compliance, IMIP is scaling up human capital investment through vocational partnerships with top universities like ITB and UGM, alongside international training programs in China, positioning the park as a benchmark for responsible and tech-driven nickel downstreaming.

Affected by the supply-demand relationship, MHP and high-grade nickel matte nickel prices rose this week

【SMM Morning Brief Nickel 2.24】During the 2026 Chinese New Year holiday (February 15 to February 23), the domestic SHFE nickel market was closed, while LME nickel prices showed a rebound. The nickel sulphate market was relatively quiet during the holiday, with purchasing and sales activities largely halted. On the production side, some producers maintained operations, while others suspended production for maintenance.

I. Nickel Price Review During Chinese New Year During the 2026 Chinese New Year holiday (February 15–23), domestic SHFE nickel was closed, while overseas LME nickel prices showed a rebound. Pre-holiday surge: Before the holiday, Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources announced that it would lock the 2026 nickel ore RKAB mining quota at approximately 260 million mt. Boosted by this positive news, market sentiment turned bullish. On February 11, LME nickel once surged to $18,070/mt, with the LME nickel 3M contract closing at $17,880/mt that day, a single-day increase of 2.93%. Post-holiday pullback then rebound: After the Chinese New Year holiday began (after February 16), domestic SHFE nickel was closed, and the pre-holiday positive news was digested. During this period, the US dollar index strengthened slightly, putting pressure on LME nickel prices, which pulled back. On February 17, LME nickel closed at $16,830/mt, down 1.81% from the previous trading day. From February 18 to 20, influenced by a tailings landslide incident at Indonesia’s IMIP park, LME nickel prices rebounded noticeably but overall remained volatile below $18,000/mt. II. Key Macro Events and Industry Developments On February 18, a tailings dam landslide occurred at the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), resulting in casualties. The affected area has currently suspended operations. On February 20, the US Supreme Court ruled that the previous tariff policy of the Trump administration was illegal. In response, the Trump administration quickly invoked "Section 122" to announce a new 10% global tariff, which was further raised to 15% the following day. In terms of geopolitics, US-Iran negotiations have been volatile. Although progress was made in the February 17 talks, core disagreements remain, and the US continues to escalate military threats, increasing geopolitical uncertainty. III. Post-Holiday Outlook Supply side, due to fewer calendar days in February and the Chinese New Year holiday leading to partial shutdowns at some enterprises, production plans have been reduced. Refined nickel production in February is expected to decrease by about 5% MoM. Demand side, post-holiday, as traders and end-users resume production, market transactions are expected to gradually recover. Spot premiums for Jinchuan refined nickel are projected to remain high at 8,000–10,000 yuan/mt, while spot premiums/discounts for domestically produced electrodeposited nickel are expected to stay within the pre-holiday range of -400–400 yuan/mt, with relatively stable fluctuations. After the Chinese New Year holiday, nickel prices are expected to enter a phase of wide swings at elevated levels. On the downside, the 130,000 yuan/mt level for SHFE nickel shows strong resilience due to Indonesia's quota tightening policy; on the upside, the zone above 145,000 yuan/mt faces strong resistance from high inventory and weak demand. The core trading range for the most-traded SHFE nickel contract after the holiday is projected at 130,000-145,000 yuan/mt. Key factors to monitor include whether supply contraction expectations materialize as anticipated, as well as the pace of downstream work resumption and the strength of restocking demand.

[6.18 Morning Meeting Minutes] Recently, the premium for saprolite ore in Indonesia's nickel ore market remained high, and the cost line of nickel ore for smelters remained firm. Additionally, the drive to switch production to high-grade nickel matte was not met. Currently, the main product of RKEF capacity is still high-grade NPI, and overall production may increase MoM from last month. Demand side, the proportion of long-term agreements for raw materials among major stainless steel mills is relatively high, and there has been a considerable trading volume of spot orders on the eve of this month. Currently, the demand for external purchases is weak.

[6.17 Morning Meeting Minutes] LME nickel prices declined slightly this week. Demand side, despite signs of recovery in nickel salt demand MoM in June, the overall demand remained in a sluggish phase. Affected by the presence of some raw material inventory and weak order demand, the inquiry and transaction activity of precursor companies for nickel salt were low during the traditional procurement period this week.

[Morning Meeting Minutes on June 16] Last week, nickel ore prices in the Philippines remained stable. The CIF prices of Philippine laterite nickel ore (NI1.3%) from the Philippines to China were $44-45/wmt, and the FOB prices were $34-36/wmt. The CIF prices of laterite nickel ore (NI1.5%) were $59-60/wmt, and the FOB prices were $49-51/wmt. In terms of supply and demand, in terms of supply, although there was precipitation at major nickel ore loading points in the Philippines, the continuous rainfall during the week significantly impacted the loading progress of nickel mines, and the loading progress was generally delayed compared to expectations.

This week, Indonesian nickel ore limonite prices saw an increase. NPI prices still faces pressure from stainless steel market

Philippine nickel ore prices remain high, forcing domestic enterprises to choose between purchasing at high prices or cutting production. Indonesian limonite ore prices strengthen again.

[6.13 Morning Meeting Summary] Despite the widespread losses faced by enterprises, with some steel mills having implemented production cuts, the current supply remains at historically high levels due to the large production base in the early stage, and the contradiction of oversupply in the market is prominent. Stainless steel mills and agents are facing a sharp increase in shipping pressure, with market pessimism spreading. Traders are scrambling to ship goods, driving stainless steel quotes to continuously decline.