Low nickel prices are sending mine after mine into care and maintenance, with the latest casualties being Glencore’s sale of its stake in Koniambo Nickel in New Caledonia, Glencore-backed Horizonte issuing a financing warning citing ballooning costs amidst low prices, and BHP reportedly planning on shuttering its Nickel West operations in Western Australia. BHP’s nickel division is being hit particularly hard by this, as the company is writing off the potential for the unit to generate profit this year. In response to this, the French government has made €140 million available in the form of subsidies and loans to nickel producer Prony in the French territory of New Caledonia, having already failed to keep Glencore interested in maintaining its stake…