Menurut Arif, kenaikan penjualan ini disebabkan oleh membaiknya harga realisasi rata-rata nikel dalam matte INCO 38,926 ribu dolar AS per ton pada kuartal kedua 2007 dibanding periode sama 2006 senilai 14,326 ribu dolar AS per ton dan 29,140 dolar AS per ton pada kuartal pertama 2007.
He said the sales hike followed a rise in the price of nickel in matte to US$38.926 per ton in the second quarter of this year from US$14.326 in the same period last year and US$29.140 in the first quarter of this year.