[Jonty30]

Looks to be about the same. But the advance is that nickel can be used for more common purposes, which lithium can be used for more expensives uses.

Abundance of elements in the earth

[AZJeep]

See the “rare Earth” materials!
They are in the same ballpark as Copper, Nickel or Lead.
Not really that rare! More common than Cadmium, Indium, Mercury, or Antimony!
Why did we gave that market to China?!?