Vale Base Metals has committed nearly $9-billion for investment in Indonesia, including for its development of high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) plants for nickel, chief executive Deshnee Naidoo said on Thursday.

Major Chinese nickel maker Tsingshan Group has started commercial production of refined nickel in Indonesia, three sources familiar with the production told Reuters on Monday.

The global nickel market had a surplus of 27,400 metric tons in June, compared with a surplus of 16,200 tons in the same month last year, data from the International Nickel Study Group (INSG) showed on Monday.

The transaction was expected to close by the first quarter of 2024.

“The demand for that type of steel is going to far outpace the supply of that material,” he added.

Investment fund Engine No. 1, known for its battle with Exxon Mobil Corp. and recently taking a surprise stake in Vale SA’s base metals business, is eying more deals in critical minerals.

The London Metal Exchange (LME) said on Thursday it had approved nickel produced by Quzhou Huayou Cobalt New Material, a subsidiary of China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, as a list brand and expects more brand applications in coming months.

Bofa cuts nickel price forecast to $22,063/t in 2023 ($23,222/t preciously); 2024 forecast unchanged at $21,250/t.