* Nickel is the fifth most abundant transition metal in the Earth’s crust, after iron, aluminum, magnesium and titanium. It is also the 24th most abundant element overall.
* Nickel is primarily mined from ores such as pentlandite and garnierite. The world's largest nickel producers are Russia, Canada, Indonesia, Australia and New Caledonia.
* Nickel is used to produce stainless steel, which accounts for about two-thirds of all nickel consumption worldwide. Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, chromium and nickel that is resistant to corrosion and rust.
* Nickel is also used to make coins. The United States nickel, for example, is made of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
* Nickel is used to make batteries, such as nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. These batteries are used in a variety of electronic devices, such as laptops, cell phones and electric cars.
* Nickel is also used as a catalyst in chemical reactions. Catalysts are substances that increase the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the reaction. Nickel is used in several types of catalytic processes, including hydrogenation and reforming.
* Nickel is an essential trace element for humans. It is involved in a number of bodily functions, including metabolism, digestion and the production of red blood cells.
* Nickel can be harmful if inhaled in large quantities. Nickel inhalation can cause respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis. Nickel is also known to cause cancer in some cases.
* Nickel is recyclable and can be reused in other products. This helps to reduce the amount of nickel mining that is necessary and helps to conserve natural resources.