Indonesia's nickel benchmark mineral price (HMA) has fallen below the $18,000/t mark for the first period of July after three consecutive pricing periods above that level, following weakness in London Metal Exchange (LME) nickel prices. The decline is expected to weigh on nickel ore prices and government royalty collections while providing some cost relief for downstream smelters. The HMA for the first period of July stood at $17,593.33/t, down from $18,642.33/t in the second period of June and $18,799.29/t in the first period of June. Recent declines have been driven by easing concerns over tight ore availability. ... (full story)