http://www.platts.com/Metals/News/9724074.xml?sub=Metals&p=Metals/News&

Hong Kong (Platts)--22Dec2008

China's total electrolytic nickel output over January-November 2008 
reached 124,086 mt, up 11% from the corresponding period a year ago, an
official with Beijing Antaike, the state-owned nonferrous metals information
provider said Monday.
    "Despite decreased production in Gansu province, nickel producers in
Jiangxi, Guangxi, as well as Xinjiang provinces have raised output this year, 
lifting total annual volume," the Antaike source said.
     Meanwhile, Antaike statistics show that China exported a total of 6,103
mt of nickel and its alloys during the first 11 months of 2008, down 63% from
the corresponding period a year ago. 
     The Antaike source attributed the decline to the 15% export tax on
nickel, which has been imposed since 2007. 
     Antaike noted that despite relatively weaker demand for nickel from the
Chinese domestic stainless steel industry this year, China's total nickel 
imports over the past 11 months this year had risen due to some recent buying
by consortiums. 
     "When international nickel prices decline, these consortiums  would 
import materials to cash in on lower import costs," the source said. 
     Antaike figures show China imported a total of 106,000 mt nickel over
January-November 2008, up 11% from the corresponding period a year ago.
--Joshua Leung, [email protected]