The 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...
READ MOREChinese zinc producers are racing to deliver between 30,000 and 40,000 metric tons of refined zinc to warehouses registered with the Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) ahead of the November contract expiry on Friday, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the situation. This significant delivery is expected to raise zinc stocks in the ShFE...
READ MOREThe global silver market is expected to be in deficit for the fourth consecutive year, according to a report by the Silver Institute in collaboration with consulting firm Metals Focus. In 2024, worldwide silver consumption is projected to rise by approximately 1% year-on-year, reaching 1.21 billion ounces (about 37,500 tonnes). However, despite the overall increase...
READ MOREAnalysts at Citi Research have revised their short-term copper price forecast downward by 10%, from $9,500 per tonne to $8,500 per tonne. The downgrade is attributed to ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, as well as weaker-than-expected economic growth in China, which are likely to dampen global demand for copper. According to Citi’s...
READ MOREExports of copper concentrate from Russia to China surged by 36% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2024, reaching 310,000 tonnes, according to data from China’s General Customs Administration. In September alone, shipments rose one and a half times to 35,000 tonnes. While concentrate exports increased, Russian exports of finished copper products like wire,...
READ MOREIndustry sources indicate that the incoming Trump US administration is planning to adopt a stricter approach toward allowing Chinese-owned or operated raw materials, such as nickel, to qualify for credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Washington insiders told Fastmarkets that one of the new administration’s early actions will likely be to tighten the Foreign...
READ MOREFrom January to September 2024, China significantly increased its imports of copper concentrate from Russia, as reported by Vedomosti, citing data from the Main Customs Department of China. Over this period, imports of raw copper materials rose by 36% year-on-year, totaling 310,000 tons. Conversely, exports of finished copper products, including wire, profiles, sheets, tubes, and...
READ MOREChina’s copper cathode production in October 2024 amounted to 995,500 tonnes, according to the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM). This figure marks a 0.9% decline from September but a slight increase of 0.2% compared to October 2023. Overall, Chinese companies produced 9.96 million tonnes of copper in the first ten months of the year, reflecting a...
READ MORESecuring nickel that complies with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) requirements is expected to become even more challenging. The US president-elect, Donald Trump, is likely to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to allowing Chinese-owned or operated supplies of raw materials like nickel to qualify for IRA credits. Washington sources told Fastmarkets that one of the first...
READ MORENigeria has signed a $1.2 billion contract with the Chinese state-owned engineering firm China National Chemical Engineering Corporation (CNCEC) to overhaul a gas processing plant that is crucial for the country’s aluminium production, according to the Petroleum Ministry. The agreement marks the initial move towards reviving the long-dormant Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), which...
READ MOREThe Monel market is experiencing significant downward pressure at the start of Q4 2024, driven primarily by declining nickel prices and challenges within the manufacturing sector of major economies. Monel, a nickel-copper alloy known for its exceptional corrosion resistance and strength in marine and chemical processing applications, is being impacted by changing market dynamics shaped...
READ MOREGold prices experienced a significant drop on Monday, November 11, falling by more than 2% as the U.S. dollar strengthened in the wake of Donald Trump’s election as U.S. President. The precious metal’s value declined by $64.75, or 2.41%, closing at $2,619.23 per ounce, with prices reaching as low as $2,610.61 during the trading session....
READ MOREIn October, China’s production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) rose by 7.8% month-on-month (MoM), reaching a total of 251,700 tonnes. This growth was supported by stable demand from the automotive market and expanding energy storage needs both domestically and internationally. LFP batteries are increasingly used in electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage solutions, driving...
READ MOREDonald Trump’s return to the White House after defeating Kamala Harris has generated waves of speculation across various economic sectors, including significant interest from the aluminium industry. Now serving as the 47th President of the United States, Trump’s history of implementing protectionist policies is making industry experts wary of potential shifts under his new administration....
READ MOREChina’s economic slowdown and declining sales of electric cars are driving short-term adjustments in copper demand and price expectations. After reaching $5.20 per pound on the Comex in May, copper prices fell back to the $4.20-$4.30 range, similar to the levels seen at the start of the year. As China consumes 55% of the world’s...
READ MOREIran has reported a slight decline in aluminum output during the seven months to late October. According to figures released by the state-run metals and mining company IMIDRO, aluminum ingot production from the country’s four major smelters reached 352,423 metric tons (mt) by October 21, down from 367,091 mt during the same period last year....
READ MORECopper processing costs are on a downward trend, potentially reaching their lowest level in 15 years by 2025. This decline is driven by a combination of disruptions at mining operations and an increase in smelting capacity, primarily in China. The reduction in Treatment and Refining Charges (TC/RCs) for copper is expected to put significant pressure...
READ MORENickel Industries is strengthening its position as a major global nickel resource holder through strategic acquisitions in Indonesia. In August 2024, the company acquired the Sampala project and a 51% stake in the Siduarsi project, amid a severe nickel ore shortage in Indonesia. This shortage has driven a 45% increase in local nickel prices since...
READ MOREDuring the Asian market session, spot gold experienced a sudden and sharp decline, briefly falling to $2,724.64 per ounce, hitting an intraday low. According to FXStreet analyst Christian Borjon Valencia, technical analysis of gold indicates potential signs of weakness. Gold prices closed nearly unchanged on Monday, with investors awaiting the outcome of the U.S. election...
READ MOREThe lithium market has entered a period of declining prices due to weaker demand conditions and an oversupply of lithium carbonate in key regions. In October, seaborne lithium carbonate prices in Asia dropped by 3.8%, settling at around $10,000 per metric ton, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights. This drop is attributed to the seasonal...
READ MORECopper, 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...
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