The Finnish nickel deposits were found in the Petsamo area near the Barents Sea.
The nickel deposits were a lesser known reason for Allied and German interest in the area during World War II, as potentially of great importance for production of arms and munitions.
Both the planned Franco-British support of Finland in the Winter War, and German occupation of Denmark and Norway (Operation Weserübung) were partly motivated by control of the nickel mines.
This was one of the causes of hostility between the Soviet Union and Finland, which led to the Continuation War.
As part of the German invasion, troops from Norway occupied the Petsamo region in 1941, securing the nickel supply.