Copper, the third most used metal globally, is crucial for the energy transition, particularly in electrification and renewable energy applications. Recent developments, including China’s stimulus measures, have led to significant volatility in copper prices, adding uncertainty to the metal’s future. China’s economic actions have been a major driver of this volatility. Copper futures are actively...
READ MORETight supply, improving demand in China, and falling inventories are expected to push zinc prices up by around 8% in the short term, analysts say. The zinc market has faced mine setbacks this year, tightening zinc ore and concentrate supplies, noted Daniel Hynes, senior commodity strategist at ANZ Research. Sibanye-Stillwater recently suspended operations at its...
READ MORERussia has significantly increased its alumina imports from China, largely due to supplies from the Hebei Wenfeng New Materials (HWNM) plant, where Russian aluminum giant Rusal acquired a 30% stake. From January to September 2024, alumina imports from China to Russia rose by 43% year-on-year, reaching 1.2 million tons, according to data from the General...
READ MORECopper prices fell on Tuesday as the dollar strengthened, and uncertainty loomed over China’s economic recovery following weak economic data and a lack of details regarding Beijing’s stimulus efforts. The three-month copper contract on the London Metal Exchange (LME) declined by 1.2%, trading at $9,547 per metric ton by 0722 GMT, marking its lowest point...
READ MOREChina’s imports of unwrought copper increased in September compared to the previous month, driven by seasonal demand improvements and a positive consumption outlook for the industrial metal, according to customs data released on Monday. Imports of unwrought copper and related products reached 479,000 metric tons last month, marking a 15.4% rise from August, data from...
READ MOREChina’s aluminium consumption growth is expected to slow to slightly below 5% this year, compared to a 6% gain in 2023, as demand cooled during the third quarter amid economic challenges, despite robust growth from the energy and transportation sectors, local analysts reported to MNI. Gu Fengda, chief nonferrous metals analyst at Guoxin Futures, noted...
READ MOREXinjiang Technology officially launched its Phase II aluminium and titanium alloy production project on September 5. The project, located in Haimen District, builds on the company’s Phase I success in magnesium alloy production and represents a significant provincial industrial initiative in collaboration with China Aerospace Equipment. The total investment in the new titanium alloy project...
READ MORESince Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEx) acquired the LME in 2012 for $2.2 billion, the exchange has aimed to open warehouses in China. Registering facilities in Hong Kong would be a key step towards this goal, as it would offer companies in the region a viable alternative to mainland storage. In a December 2023...
READ MOREChina’s aluminium industry is poised for increased output as demand remains robust and power supplies improve. However, rising costs for essential raw materials like bauxite and alumina are expected to limit producer profits, posing challenges for the country’s aluminium sector. Improved power availability, especially in Yunnan province, will support higher production levels. Analysts from Shanghai...
READ MOREChina’s shipments of antimony products saw a sharp increase in August 2024, driven by international concerns over Beijing’s upcoming export restrictions on the critical mineral. Antimony, used in various applications from fire retardants to military equipment, has become the focus of a rush in stockpiling abroad. The export restrictions, set to take effect on September...
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