China’s primary aluminum production reached a record 3.7 million tons in November, marking a 3.6% year-on-year increase, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Cumulative production for the first 11 months of 2024 amounted to 40.2 million tons, up 4.6% compared to the same period last year, driven by robust export demand. Meanwhile, data...
READ MOREThe US aluminum industry is anticipating significant changes as President-elect Donald Trump proposes a 25% tariff on imports from major suppliers, including Canada and Mexico. According to Citigroup, aluminum could be one of the metals most affected by these measures. Canada accounts for 60% of the aluminum imported into the US, which makes up around...
READ MOREIran produced 400,425 tons of aluminum ingots between March 20 and November 20, 2024, according to the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO). This marks significant progress for the country’s aluminum sector, which plays a pivotal role in supporting downstream industries such as automotive manufacturing, construction, and packaging. IMIDRO, a major...
READ MOREJapanese buyers have agreed on a premium of $228 per tonne for aluminium imports in Q1 2025, marking a 0.87% to 12% decline from the previously offered range of $230-$260 per tonne. Despite the drop, the agreed premium is the highest since 2015 and represents a 30% increase compared to the ongoing quarter’s premium of...
READ MORECuba is striving to maintain its nickel production despite the combined pressures of the US blockade, disruptions in the national electrical grid, and volatile international market prices. The country’s primary nickel operations are concentrated in the eastern province of Holguín, where two mining sites are active: the Ernesto Che Guevara plant, a fully Cuban venture,...
READ MOREIn November 2024, domestic aluminum production in China increased by 2.74% year-on-year (YoY), according to SMM statistics. Cumulative production for the January-November period rose by 3.86% YoY. Despite the overall growth, some aluminum smelters faced challenges such as pot maintenance due to high pot age and environmental protection-related production cuts during the winter season. While...
READ MOREIndia’s copper demand reached 1,700 kilotonnes (kt) in FY2024, marking a 13% year-on-year increase, according to a release from the International Copper Association India (ICA India). This surge is attributed to the country’s overall economic expansion, with average annual copper demand growing by 21% per year post-pandemic. Domestic production of copper cathodes also rose by...
READ MOREThe United States Geological Survey (USGS) has reported domestic primary aluminum production of 54,600 metric tons (t) in September 2024. The average daily production for the month was 1,820 t, remaining consistent with August 2024 but showing a 9% decline compared to September 2023 and a 10% drop from September 2022. Total aluminum recovered from...
READ MOREAlumina Limited, an Australian mining company specializing in bauxite mining and alumina refining, has forecasted its processed alumina and aluminum sales to grow from $4.32 billion in 2023 to $5.5 billion within the next five years. This projection represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.77%, driven by operational restructuring and recovery from the...
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In November, China’s production of lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) reached 9,350 tonnes, reflecting a month-on-month decline of 3.21% but a year-on-year increase of 12.65%. This reduction in production aligns with weakening demand from the electronics industry, prompting smelters to adjust output to match market trends. Market analysts predict a further decline in LCO production in...
READ MOREAccording to SMM, Chile’s National Institute of Statistics (INE) reported a 3.0% year-over-year increase in the country’s manufacturing production in October. The agency also noted that copper production in October rose by 6.7% year-over-year to 492,804 metric tons. Chile remains the world’s largest copper producer, maintaining its key role in the global copper supply chain.
READ MOREThe cobalt market is currently under pressure, with supply outpacing demand and prices reflecting the shift. Cobalt sulfate prices have been gradually declining, suggesting a slowdown in demand, especially from China’s passenger electric vehicle (PEV) sector. This shift is attributed to the growing preference for lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, which do not require cobalt. According to...
READ MOREZinc prices are seeing increased volatility as tightening supply conditions leave buyers exposed to sudden changes in availability. Last week, the metal, which is widely used to galvanize steel, experienced turbulent trading on the London Metal Exchange (LME), ending almost 5% higher despite a 2.5% drop on Thursday. The price spike was driven by large...
READ MOREGlobal bauxite and aluminum prices have surged to a five-month high this month, driven by economic growth, supply concerns, and a weaker U.S. dollar. Analysts predict that prices could continue to rise from current levels, reflecting the broader market’s ongoing uncertainties. Aluminum prices are currently about 18% higher than they were a year ago, with...
READ MOREThe global aluminum honeycomb market, valued at USD 3.57 billion in 2024, is projected to exceed USD 6.65 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.43%. The increasing demand for lightweight, energy-efficient materials in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and construction is driving this growth. The Asia Pacific region led...
READ MOREDespite persistent challenges with platinum prices, the precious metal market is seeing support as the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) predicts a market deficit in both 2024 and 2025. Edward Sterk, WPIC’s director of research, highlighted that while demand for platinum remains steady, supply has struggled to keep up, a trend that looks set to...
READ MOREThe World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) has forecast a two percent decline in mined platinum supply for 2025, as producers continue to restructure operations in response to challenging market conditions. In its third-quarter supply and demand report, WPIC projected a third consecutive annual supply deficit for the metal in 2025. Newly mined platinum production is...
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 MOREGlobal production of refined copper rose by 4.1% year-on-year to 20.50 million tonnes during January to September, while consumption increased by 2.5% to 20.14 million tonnes. This resulted in a widening surplus of 359,000 tonnes for the first nine months of the year, compared to a surplus of just 42,000 tonnes during the same period...
READ MORECanada’s role in the global copper supply is expanding, with Québec emerging as an increasingly important contributor. Rich geological formations and a focus on sustainable practices are driving the growth of the province’s copper industry, positioning it as a key supplier in the push for global electrification and decarbonization. In 2022, Canadian mines produced roughly...
READ MOREThe Aluminum Monthly Metals Index (MMI) posted a modest 1.38% increase from October to November, as aluminum prices moved sideways throughout October. Although aluminum prices only rose by 0.99% during the month, they managed to outperform other base metals, such as copper, nickel, zinc, and tin, which saw more significant declines. However, prices began slipping...
READ MOREGold prices advanced on Monday after experiencing their steepest weekly drop since 2021, as the U.S. dollar eased and traders assessed the potential for Federal Reserve rate cuts given Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the White House next year. Spot gold climbed more than 1% to above $2,597 per ounce, following a loss of more...
READ MOREOmani authorities are advancing plans to establish an Integrated Economic Cluster for Aluminium Industries in the Wilayat of Suhar, a region already at the heart of substantial aluminium-related investments. The Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-Up Unit is spearheading this initiative, collaborating with various government ministries and agencies to move the project forward. The planned cluster...
READ MOREChina’s aluminium production in October 2024 rose year-on-year as a positive demand outlook and higher aluminium prices offset rising raw material costs. Official data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that China, the world’s largest aluminium producer, produced 3.72 million metric tons of primary aluminium last month, marking a 1.6% increase from October last...
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