Lara Browne

Editor-in-Chief
With over 15 years of experience in financial journalism, Lara has become a recognized voice in global metals markets. Her career spans several continents, allowing her to develop a deep understanding of market movements, investment strategies and the broader financial implications of metal mining and production. Her editorial leadership at Metals Wire ensures that all content is not only timely but also insightful, providing a comprehensive look into the sector. Lara’s approach focuses on making complex market trends accessible to both industry insiders and general readers.
  • Craftsman Automation to Launch New Aluminium Products Plant in Rajasthan

    Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) has joined forces with Craftsman Automation, an automation firm, to establish a new aluminium products manufacturing facility in Alwar. This initiative, representing an initial investment of Rs 150 crore, marks a significant step towards expanding the state’s industrial and manufacturing capabilities. The upcoming plant will be located...
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  • Zambia Eyes Significant Increase in Copper Production by 2026

    Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer, is poised for a substantial increase in copper output, potentially reaching about 1 million tons by 2026. Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane shared this optimistic outlook, highlighting the pivotal role of ongoing and planned investments in expanding production at key mining sites, including those operated by First Quantum Minerals. Despite a...
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  • Krastsvetmet Doubles Precious Metals Sales in 2023

    Krastsvetmet, a Russian company specializing in precious metals, reported a significant increase in its sales for 2023. The company’s revenue from the production and sale of precious metals surged to 123 billion rubles (approximately $1.35 billion), nearly doubling from the previous year’s figure of 65 billion rubles (around $715 million). This impressive growth is further...
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  • Japan to See 4.2% Increase in Refined Copper Production Amid Rising Local Demand

    Japan is poised for a 4.2% increase in refined copper production during the first half of the 2024/25 financial year, according to Reuters’ analysis based on smelter plans. This uptick is largely attributed to a surge in local demand, especially from the semiconductor industry, marking a significant period of growth for the sector. The forecasted...
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  • Alcoa Moves Toward Sale of San Cibrao Complex Amidst Tight Security Measures

    Alcoa is advancing towards the sale of its industrial complex in San Cibrao, Cervo municipality, Lugo, with binding offers from potential buyers expected by mid-June. This development comes after a follow-up meeting in Madrid, where it was revealed that discussions with potential buyers have already commenced, with non-binding offers anticipated by mid-May. In preparation for...
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  • LG Energy Solution Initiates $5.5 Billion Battery Plant in Arizona for Tesla

    LG Energy Solution marked the beginning of construction for its $5.5 billion battery manufacturing facility in Queen Creek, Arizona. Poised to be the largest single battery factory in North America, this plant will focus on producing cylindrical batteries for Tesla, potentially including those for the upcoming Cybertrucks. The facility boasts a substantial production capacity of...
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  • Vedanta Ltd Reports 4% Increase in Aluminium Production in Q4 FY24

    Vedanta, a major player in the diversified natural resources sector, has announced a 4% rise in its aluminium production for the fourth quarter of FY24, reaching 598,000 tonnes, compared to the same quarter last year. The increase from the previous year’s production of 574,000 tonnes highlights the company’s operational achievements. Further enhancing its performance, Vedanta’s...
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  • Unicorn Mineral Resources Expands Exploration Strategy to Include Africa

    Unicorn Mineral Resources, a prominent mineral exploration and development entity focusing on zinc, lead, copper, and silver in Ireland, has announced an ambitious expansion of its exploration strategy to include East and Southern Africa. This strategic decision, backed unanimously by the Board of Directors, comes following a proposal from Executive Director Jason Brewer, who joined...
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  • US Primary Aluminum Production Dips Slightly in January 2024

    The latest report from the United States Geological Services (USGS) indicates a slight decrease in US domestic primary aluminum production in January 2024, totaling 63,000 metric tons (t). The average daily production stood at 2,020 t, showing a marginal decline from December 2023, maintaining a level comparable to January 2023, yet marking a significant 24%...
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  • Palladium Market Sees Volatility Amidst Global Economic Shifts and Supply Constraints

    The international palladium market, crucial for its use in gasoline vehicle emission purification catalysts, continues to experience price fluctuations around the $1,000 per troy ounce mark. Despite the dampening effect of China’s sluggish economic recovery, a decrease in production from Russia—responsible for about 40% of global supply—coupled with other factors, is exerting upward pressure on...
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  • Shanghai Futures Exchange Aims for Nickel Futures Internationalization Amid Global Pricing Shift

    The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) is set to explore and implement a nickel futures internationalisation strategy, the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA) disclosed in a recent report. This initiative seeks to capitalize on the evolving global nickel pricing landscape, according to Zhang Ming, the SHFE’s deputy general manager. In response to the challenges facing...
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  • Global Commodities Holdings Teams Up with ICE for New Nickel Trading Platform

    Global Commodities Holdings (GCHL) is collaborating with the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to establish a new nickel trading platform, responding to the market’s demand for a more regulated and reliable spot trading environment. This initiative emerges in the wake of the trading suspension chaos that enveloped the London Metal Exchange (LME) two years prior, highlighting the...
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  • Gold Prices on the Rise, Defying US Dollar Strength

    The current trend in gold prices shows a strong upward movement, continuing to rise despite the robust performance of the US dollar. Technical analyses predict new highs for gold, with silver also showing gains but not at the same pace as gold. Gold’s technical indicators remain strong, with no significant signs of a reversal. The...
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  • Freeport Indonesia Advocates for Extension of Copper Concentrate Export License

    Freeport Indonesia is actively seeking an extension of its copper concentrate export license, a move underscored by President Director Tony Wenas’s recent discussions with Indonesian government officials. Amid these discussions, Wenas, alongside Freeport McMoran’s top executives, met with President Joko Widodo, emphasizing the critical need for license renewal to prevent a substantial drop in state...
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  • Pursuit Minerals Launches Lithium Carbonate Pilot Plant Operations

    Pursuit Minerals has officially initiated the first phase of operations at its Lithium Carbonate Pilot Plant. This significant development marks a key milestone in the company’s endeavor to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate. The pilot plant, now fully commissioned, is set to embark on producing lithium carbonate through a conventional evaporation process, aiming for an annual...
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  • Indonesia’s Amman Mineral Targets Ambitious Copper Output Recovery in 2024

    In a striking display of resilience and strategic planning, PT Amman Mineral Internasional, one of Indonesia’s premier copper miners, has announced a bold target for 2024. The company is aiming for a production of 833,000 dry metric tons (dmt) of copper concentrate, marking an approximate 54% increase from its 2023 output levels. This ambitious goal...
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  • Bolivia’s YLB Confirms Production Milestone of 3,000 Tons of Lithium Carbonate

    Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB), under the leadership of Executive President Karla Calderón, has officially confirmed the production of 3,000 tons of lithium carbonate for this year from its Industrial Plant situated in the Salar de Uyuni’s southern Industrial Complex, Potosí department. This announcement not only underscores Bolivia’s burgeoning role in the lithium market but...
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  • CIG Union Calls for Renewed Mobilizations Over Alcoa’s San Cibrao Facility Concerns

    The Confederation of Galician Workers (CIG) is rallying for the resumption of protests in response to ongoing issues at the Alcoa industrial complex in San Cibrao, highlighting the company’s failure to adhere to agreements and a perceived lack of action from governing bodies. In a recent assembly attended by CIG delegates from Alcoa and its...
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  • LS Cable & System Innovates with New Copper Foil Plant in Gunsan

    In a move to revolutionize the production of high-performance batteries, South Korea’s LS Cable & System has announced the commencement of construction for a state-of-the-art plant dedicated to manufacturing a novel copper foil material. Dubbed “CuFlake,” this innovative material utilizes copper flakes, setting a new industry standard by streamlining the manufacturing process and significantly cutting...
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  • Goldman Sachs Predicts Commodity Price Surge Amid Anticipated US and European Rate Cuts

    According to insights from Goldman Sachs, reported by FX168 Finance Group Holding Limited, commodity prices are on the brink of a significant upturn this year, bolstered by expected interest rate reductions by central banks in the U.S. and Europe. These adjustments are anticipated to rejuvenate industrial and consumer demand, with commodities like copper, aluminum, gold,...
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  • Zimplats Faces Retrenchments Amid PGM Price Decline

    Zimplats, part of the Impala Platinum group, is confronting severe financial strain due to plummeting prices for platinum group metals (PGMs) on the global market. This downturn has compelled the Zimbabwe-based mining giant to extend voluntary retrenchment packages to all employee classes as a crucial step in its cost-reduction and cash-preservation efforts. Initially targeting management,...
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  • Boliden Warns of USD 47.5 Million Hit to Q1 Profits if Finnish Strike Persists

    Boliden, the mining company, has released a statement indicating a significant financial impact if the ongoing strike in Finland extends through March 31. The anticipated negative effect on the company’s operating profit for the first quarter is estimated at SEK 500 million (USD 47.5 million). This estimated impact comprises SEK 200 million (USD 19 million)...
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  • European Imports of Russian Titanium Nearly Double in January 2024

    In a notable surge, European countries imported 494.9 tonnes of Russian titanium in January 2024, marking a 92% increase from December, despite being 15.5% lower than the previous year’s figures, according to the European Union’s statistical service. This increase reflects significant growth in imports by several key countries, including Germany, which received 237 tonnes of...
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  • Chinese Copper Smelters to Tackle Profit Crisis in Upcoming Meeting

    Leading Chinese copper smelters, grappling with a significant downturn in processing fees that threatens their profitability, are set to convene in Shanghai for a critical quarterly meeting next Thursday. Key industry players like Jiangxi Copper and Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group will discuss the current state of the concentrate market, future production plans, and establish spot...
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