Reuters reported that China's nickel ore imports are expected to slow in the second half compared with the first.

Mr Wu Jun VP of Jinchuan Group Limited said that the company expects to achieve its 2011 output targets of 130,000 tonnes of nickel and 500,000 tonnes of copper. He added that "It's hard to specify the forecast but imports are seen lower from the first half as the global economy is so uncertain, but we are still expecting to achieve this year's production plan."

Customs data showed that China imported 21.21 million tonnes of nickel ore and concentrate for the first 7 months of 2011, surging by 72% YoY.

Indonesia and Philippines, which are rich in laterite resources for the production of nickel pig iron and ferronickel, were the top two exporters of nickel ore and concentrates to China.

(Sourced from www.reuters.com)