I am curious of that too; however, given that it does not happen yet (or, at least, so I think), I am brought to believe that it is not that easy, or at least n

I am curious of that too; however, given that it does not happen yet (or, at least, so I think), I am brought to believe that it is not that easy, or at least not easier than mining ores (which still requires some degree of purification). That probably also applies to using the cheap nickel mentioned by the grandfather comment: it is not necessarily easy to purify it.