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...
READ MOREChilean 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...
READ MOREMitsubishi 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...
READ MORENegotiations 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...
READ MOREThe 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...
READ MOREIvanhoe 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....
READ MOREMany 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...
READ MOREShares 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...
READ MOREThe 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,...
READ MOREGlobal 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...
READ MOREPosco-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...
READ MOREMakin 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...
READ MOREStarting 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...
READ MOREThe 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...
READ MOREAluminium 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...
READ MORESaudi 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...
READ MOREVedanta 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...
READ MOREZinc 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...
READ MOREWorld 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...
READ MOREThe 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...
READ MOREGlobal 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...
READ MOREAluminum 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...
READ MORENickel 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...
READ MOREChinese 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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