In this episode of Minerals Matter, Pascale Massot, APF Canada’s Canada-Indo-Pacific Critical Minerals Hub key advisor and our 2025-26 John H. McArthur Research Fellow, sits down with Lyle Trytten, a veteran of the global nickel industry, to discuss the intricacies of global nickel supply chains.
Trytten, who previously served as General Manager of Sustainability at Sherritt International and has worked on nickel projects around the world, provides an in-depth look at Canada’s nickel industry and the legacy of this crucial mineral in domestic production. He explores China’s nickel ecosystem, including the knowledge, equipment sourcing, project delivery, and operational expertise that has allowed China to dominate global processing.
The conversation also looks at Canada's decline in nickel production in favour of more attractive minerals, such as cobalt and gold, creating critical dependencies in electric vehicle and battery supply chains. Trytten also touches on the current realities of nickel production through a corporate lens to help listeners understand Canada’s hesitancy toward deeper engagement in these supply chains. He asks: How can Canada generate stronger incentives for corporations to ramp up domestic nickel production to take advantage of our natural resources? How can partnerships with consumer nations like Japan, South Korea, and European allies play a role?
