A prolonged slump in nickel prices is stress-testing producers worldwide.

The company has also hired BMO Capital markets to sell some of its smaller mines such as Las Cruces in Spain.

In the past twelve months, the company has experienced the departure of five top executives.

Northvolt currently sources cobalt from Australia and other countries.

The gold mining company said Thursday in a statement that de Montessus will forfeit pay, stock awards and other benefits.

The traders are pushing Asian smelters to accept low spot prices for turning their mined copper into metal this year, as opposed to industry benchmarks.

Nickel was the worst performer among the London Metal Exchange's base metals last year.