Vale’s nickel plunge has switched from genius to albatross and back again with the latest price surge caused by reactions against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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The current tightness in pellets markets – stemming largely from a shortfall from Brazil following tailing dams accidents – may continue for another two years, according to Sao Paulo-based Jose Carlos Martins, senior partner, Neelix Consulting Mining & Metals.
Domestic pellets demand is growing in Brazil, the biggest pellets producer, where more than 50% of the country s capacity is currently idle, Martins said in an emailed interview with S&P Global Platts. With 50 million tons pellet capacity idle in Brazil, the situation is only not worse because high prices brought back to market significant volumes of domestic concentrates from China and Eastern Europe pellets and pellet feed (with material from Ukraine and Russia as well as Canada and USA), Martins said.