It is attractive and very durable as a pure metal, and alloys readily with many other metals. The biggest use, however, is as an alloying metal along with chromium and other metals in the production of stainless and heat-resisting steels. These are mostly used in industry and construction, but also for products in the home such as pots and pans, kitchen sinks, etc. Stainless steels are produced in a wide range of compositions to meet special industry requirements for corrosion and heat resistance, and also to facilitate a clean and hygienic surface for food and other processing. About 9 per cent is used in plating and 6 per cent in other uses including coins and a variety of nickel chemicals.
Nickel occurs in nature principally as oxides, sulphides and silicates.
Ores of nickel are mined in about 20 countries on all continents, and are smelted or refined in about 25 countries. Primary nickel is produced and used in the form of ferro-nickel, nickel oxides and other chemicals, and as more or less pure nickel metal. Only about 1 million tonnes of new or primary nickel are produced and consumed annually in the world, compared with over 10 million tonnes of copper and nearly 800 million tonnes of steel. The nickel reserves shown above are calculated by the USGS in 1996 and relate to proven reserves in land based deposits. The development of new process technologies will result in the conversion of some resources into the reserve base.