The bulk of the nickel mined comes from two types of ore deposits: laterites where the principal ore minerals are nickeliferous limonite [(Fe,Ni)O(OH)] and garnierite (a hydrous nickel silicate), or. magmatic sulfide deposits where the principal ore mineral is pentlandite [(Ni,Fe)9S8].
Two-thirds of the primary nickel ore mined goes into stainless steel. Nickel is one of three elements ferromagnetic at room temperature. The world's nickel is estimated at almost 300 million tons. Most nickel is used in alloys, including stainless steel (65%), and heat-resistant alloys and non-ferrous alloys (20%)