Australian Foundation Investment Company is starting to look at the sector and last year bought a small position in diversified miner Mineral Resources.

Companies in other high-cost nickel-producing regions have announced restructurings and writedowns as prices have dropped.

The company posted revenue of A$264 million for the quarter ended December 31.

Claire Blanchelande, head of lithium at Trafigura Group, is leaving in the latest departure from the trading house’s metals unit.

The strategy aims to tackle obstacles impeding project development and workforce stability.

Company says the first resource estimate "exceeded expectations" given the limited drilling the company has done to date.

Australian lithium producers may be set to track the nickel industry in project curtailments and delays this reporting season.