China's commercial inventories of refined nickel may end the year at about 200,000 tonnes, an 18 percent rise from current levels, as domestic demand remains weak, Reuters quoting influential state-backed research firm Antaike said .
 
The expected year-end amount is equivalent to more than 100 days of China's total nickel consumption this year, which is estimated at 683,000 tonnes, said Antaike senior analyst Xu Aidong.

Indonesia's PT Aneka Tambang (Antam)  hopes to double its production of nickel ore next year to as much as 18.8 million tonnes ahead of a ban on ore exports that comes into effect in 2014, the company's chief said on Tuesday. Gold and ferronickel production are expected to remain unchanged from 2012, Antam President Director Alwinsyah Lubis told Reuters.