Asia

  • Experts Warn of Copper Shortage Amidst Global Shift to Green Energy

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    As the world accelerates towards green energy solutions, experts are raising concerns about an impending copper shortage that could threaten efforts to provide clean and affordable energy. Swiss bank UBS forecasts a supply deficit of over 200,000 tons by 2025, while the International Energy Forum emphasizes the urgent need for over a billion tons of...
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  • Antofagasta and Jiangxi Copper Agree to Sharply Lower Processing Fees for 2025

    BY Lara Browne
    Chilean miner Antofagasta and China’s Jiangxi Copper have agreed to significantly lower processing fees for copper concentrate in 2025, according to four sources with knowledge of the matter. The agreed treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) of $21.25 per ton and 2.125 cents per pound represent a steep 73.4% drop from the $80 per ton and...
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  • Mitsubishi Faces $90 Million Loss Due to Suspected Fraud by Copper Trader

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Mitsubishi Corp. has reported a loss of over $90 million in its Chinese operations following suspected fraudulent activity by one of its copper traders. The loss is the latest in a series of incidents affecting major commodity trading firms, raising concerns about the risks individual traders may pose when handling substantial sums in global commodity...
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  • Aluminum Premium Negotiations Between Overseas Producers and Japan Likely to Extend into 2025

    BY Lars Jensen
    Negotiations between major overseas aluminum producers and Japanese trading companies over premiums for aluminum ingots for the January-March 2025 period are expected to be prolonged, with some officials suggesting talks could continue into next year. Overseas producers have proposed premiums of $230 to $260 per ton, marking a 31-49% increase from the previous quarter’s rate...
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  • Nam Định Approves Development of \$90 Million Aluminium Alloy Factory

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    The industrial parks management board of Nam Định Province has approved the development of an aluminium alloy factory by an investor from Hong Kong (China). The \$90 million facility will be constructed on a 12.3-hectare site in the Mỹ Thuận Industrial Park and will be operated by Joint Wise Corporation, a subsidiary of the Kim...
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  • Ivanhoe Mines Achieves Record Copper Production at Kamoa-Kakula

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Ivanhoe Mines announced that the Phase 1, 2, and 3 concentrators at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) set a new monthly production record of 45,019 tonnes of copper in concentrate during November. The concentrators processed 1.2 million tonnes of ore with an average feed grade of 4.58% copper....
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  • Chinese Importers Halt US Copper Scrap Purchases Amid Tariff Concerns

    BY Lara Browne
    Many Chinese metal importers have stopped purchasing US copper scrap in anticipation of potential tariffs as Donald Trump prepares to assume the presidency, according to Beijing Antaike Information Development Co. The halt in purchases began in mid-November, as these shipments would likely arrive around the time of Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the state-owned researcher...
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  • Korea Zinc Faces Battle for Control as Shares Surge to Record Highs

    BY Lara Browne
    Shares of Korea Zinc, the world’s largest zinc smelter, surged by the maximum daily limit on Monday, following news that the company’s board will soon meet to discuss the potential calling of an extraordinary shareholder meeting. The meeting, set for January 23, 2025, could pave the way for a crucial vote to elect a new...
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  • South Korea’s Imports of Russian Aluminium Surge to 12-Year High

    BY Lars Jensen
    The volume of Russian aluminium imports to South Korea reached its highest level in over 12 years this October, according to calculations based on data from the Korean statistical service by RIA Novosti. In October 2024, South Korea’s purchases of aluminium from Russia totaled $96.5 million, marking the maximum monthly import volume since June 2012,...
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  • Global Aluminium Producers Raise Premiums for Japanese Buyers Amid Supply Concerns

    BY Lars Jensen
    Global aluminium producers have offered Japanese buyers premiums of $230 to $260 per metric ton for primary metal shipments in the January-March quarter, reflecting an increase of 31% to 49% from the current quarter, according to three sources directly involved in the quarterly pricing negotiations. Japan, a key Asian importer of aluminium, plays a significant...
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  • Posco-Pilbara Completes Second Lithium Hydroxide Plant in South Korea

    BY Lars Jensen
    Posco-Pilbara Lithium Solution, the joint venture between Korean steelmaker Posco and Australian lithium mining company Pilbara Minerals, has completed construction of its second lithium hydroxide plant in South Jeolla, South Korea. The new facility, which was finalized on Friday, adds to the joint venture’s first plant, established last year, increasing its production capacity to 43,000...
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  • New GRIPM Powder Materials Facility in Thailand Begins Operations

    BY John Davis
    Makin Metal Powders, a subsidiary of China’s GRIPM Group based in Rochdale, UK, has announced that its new metal powder production facility in Chonburi Province, Thailand, is now operational. The GRIPM Powder Materials plant, which is ISO 9001 certified, dispatched its first orders in July this year. The new facility has the capacity to produce...
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  • China to Cancel Export Tax Rebates on Aluminum and Copper Products from December 2024

    BY Lara Browne
    Starting December 1, 2024, China will cancel export tax rebates for certain aluminum and copper products, effectively increasing export costs for these materials. In the short term, this policy change is expected to drive up production costs for aluminum and copper processing companies, potentially leading to export losses and forcing companies to adjust their product...
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  • Mixed Outlook for Non-Ferrous Metals as Trade Conflicts Loom in 2025

    BY John Davis
    The non-ferrous metals market in 2024 experienced mixed trends, largely influenced by supply conditions and shifting global demand dynamics. Refined copper prices surged by 7%, driven by shortages and increased demand from sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers. Aluminum prices also climbed, supported by favorable upstream sectors, despite supply exceeding demand. Zinc...
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  • Aluminium Prices Set to Rise Further Amid Supply Concerns and Policy Shifts

    BY Lara Browne
    Aluminium prices on the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) and the London Metal Exchange (LME) have risen by 14% so far in 2024, and analysts predict a further increase of 5-6% by year-end. The rise is attributed to persistent concerns about raw material supplies and China’s recent decision to end its export tax rebate...
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  • Saudi Arabia Signs $9.32 Billion Mining Investment Deals with Vedanta, Zijin, and Others

    BY Lara Browne
    Saudi Arabia has signed nine investment deals in the metals and mining sector worth over 35 billion riyals ($9.32 billion) with various international companies, including India’s Vedanta and China’s Zijin Group. The deals were announced during the World Investment Conference in Riyadh, as part of the Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative, a program under Saudi...
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  • Vedanta Resources Tests Investor Appetite with New Dollar Bond Offering

    BY Lara Browne
    Vedanta Resources is proceeding with its second dollar bond offering in two months, gauging investor interest in Indian offshore debt shortly after the US indictment of Adani Group founder Gautam Adani. The London-based mining company, which operates mainly in India, is issuing a callable note through one of its units, according to sources familiar with...
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  • Zinc Prices Rise Amid Production Cuts and Supply Constraints

    BY Lara Browne
    Zinc prices increased by 0.48% to settle at $3.38, driven by market speculation regarding potential production cuts and improved consumption levels. Spot premiums remained elevated, offering additional support to the market. Winter shutdowns in northern Chinese mines have prompted smelters to stockpile zinc ore to ensure stable production during the Chinese New Year, which typically...
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  • Copper Prices Set to Weaken Amid Trade Tensions and Stock Surpluses

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    World copper prices may weaken to around $8,500 per ton over the next four months as concerns grow over the potential trade feuds likely to be triggered by the Trump administration, according to projections shared at Asia Copper Week held in China. The copper price on the London Metal Exchange (LME) fell by about $350...
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  • Kipushi Mine Officially Reopens in DRC as President Tshisekedi Leads Ceremony

    BY Lars Jensen
    The Kipushi zinc-copper-lead-germanium mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) officially reopened on Thursday, with President Félix Tshisekedi presiding over the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The high-grade mine, operated as a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) and the DRC state-owned miner Gécamines, marks an important milestone in the revitalization of the country’s mining...
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  • Global Aluminium Production Sees Uptick in October Amid Regional Variations

    BY Lars Jensen
    Global primary aluminium production rose by 3.5% month-on-month in October, reaching 6.22 million tonnes, according to data from the International Aluminium Institute. On an annual basis, October production also saw a slight increase of 1.3%, compared to 6.14 million tonnes recorded in the same month last year. The global daily average aluminium production for October...
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  • Aluminum Prices Remain Flat Amid Anticipation of China’s Export Rebate Changes

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Aluminum prices were flat in early Asian trade, with investors watching for the impact of China ending its export tax rebates on semi-manufactured aluminum products. Analysts from ANZ Research noted that Chinese fabricators have been rushing to export ahead of the upcoming rebate cut scheduled for December. Some shipments are being expedited at the request...
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  • Prony Resources Prepares to Restart Nickel Production in New Caledonia

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Nickel miner Prony Resources New Caledonia is gearing up to restart production after a six-month suspension caused by civil unrest in the French territory. The company, which operates the Goro mine and a plant producing battery-grade nickel, has brought its staff back to the facilities as it prepares for a resumption of activities, according to...
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  • CATL Announces Second-Generation Sodium-Ion Battery, Aiming for 2025 Launch

    BY John Davis
    Chinese battery giant CATL has announced the development of its second-generation sodium-ion battery, set to launch in 2025. Speaking at the World Young Scientists Summit, CATL’s chief scientist Wu Kai unveiled the new battery, which aims to enhance performance, particularly in cold conditions, and provide an alternative to lithium-ion technology. CATL’s new sodium-ion battery will...
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