Are customers willing to pay more for low-carbon nickel? Some analysts say yes — under certain conditions.

Norway is one of the first countries to formally authorize seabed mining activities in its waters after its parliament backed plans in January to prospect for minerals.

The nickel market surplus widened last year to 238,800 tonnes from 103,900 tonnes in 2022.

Under the proposed deal, the French state would subsidize energy prices alongside local authorities up to 200 million euros a year.

The first production of eluate was completed in the past week, and it will be shipped to North America.

A senior Indonesian mining ministry official said the country was working to accelerate the approval process.

"We are very strong on nickel fundamentals," chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer Emily Olson told the CERAWeek energy conference.