Chinese battery materials producer said it would buy over a five-year period as part of a broad strategic cooperation agreement.

The plant will be able to process 13 million tonnes of nickel ore annually.

A host of new players are developing new extraction techniques, which could upend primary supply of lithium, says Fitch.

BHP and Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest’s Wyloo Metals had been engaged in a tug of war with competing offers for Noront since July.

Using data from Mining Intelligence, this graphic shows the top 10 companies by nickel production along with their market cap.

Rio will engage in a public dialogue about the project, which has stirred protests by environmental groups.

There have been no factors that would trigger a significant declines in prices, with port congestion continuing and major users sticking to output plans, , according to Marubeni Corp.