Renewables MMI: Cobalt Prices Gain on the Heels of Mutanda Closure News

The Renewables Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell one point for a November MMI reading of 97.

Slowing Cobalt Mine Output

According to research group Antaike, global cobalt output growth is expected to slow in 2020, Reuters reported.
The report cites Antaike nickel analyst Joy Kong, who said cobalt production is expected to rise by 5,000 tons in 2020.
Keep up to date on everything going on in the world of trade and tariffs via MetalMiner’s Trade Resource Center.
The cobalt price has suffered over the last 18 months. On the LME, cobalt has plunged from around $95,000 per ton as of March 2018 to as low as $25,000 per ton earlier this year.
Cobalt is coveted for, among other applications, its use in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, which will be expected to drive demand for several metals as EV demand rises.
However, plunging prices have proved to be a challenge for miners, even mining giant Glencore.
Earlier this year, Glencore announced it would idle production at its Mutanda copper and cobalt mine — the world’s largest cobalt mine — in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the end of the year.
MetalMiner’s Stuart Burns earlier this year weighed in on the miner’s decision.
“Glencore has a record of taking the hard decisions early and shuttering mines that are loss-making,” he wrote.
“The miner closed zinc mines in 2015 in response to low global prices; its actions are credited with helping the zinc market recover as a result.
“Cobalt demand has traditionally been driven by its use as an alloying element, but it is increasingly being seen as part of the lithium battery demand story because of its role in production of advanced batteries. The electric vehicle (EV) market, though, has failed to match up to its hype this decade. Although both lithium and cobalt prices have risen as a result of battery makers securing their supply chain, the reality is supply is perfectly adequate.”
In fact, LME cobalt has had some upward momentum in recent months, reaching $35,000 per ton this week.
Furthermore, Burns added the fundamentals for the much-coveted cobalt remain strong.
“In the longer term, though the fundamentals remain solid, EV sales will rise over the next decade as prices become more affordable, ranges extend and charging infrastructure improves,” Burns explained. “Glencore is putting Mutanda on care and maintenance for the next two years, after which it will review its options.
“Taking some 20% of global supply out of the market will put a floor under prices and shorten the timeframe over which prices will recover.”

Trafigura’s Bet on Cobalt

Sticking with the cobalt theme, Burns delved into trader Trafigura’s bet on cobalt amid its price resurgence in recent months.
“According to the Financial Times, Trafigura is betting that the Mutoshi mine, which is owned by DRC-based company Chemaf, can become a competitive producer, just as demand starts to rise on the back of a global rise in EV sales,” Burns wrote.
“Trafigura is looking to contribute financing in return for marketing rights on the cobalt. Mutoshi hopes to produce 16,000 tons of cobalt annually by the end of next year, should financing be put in place.”

GOES


The GOES Monthly Metals Index (MMI), which tracks grain-oriented electrical steel, dropped five points for a November reading of 181.
The GOES price fell to 2.6% month over month to $2,499/mt as of Nov. 1.
AK Steel, the only U.S. producer of electrical steel, recently reported its third-quarter financial results. In the third quarter, the company’s stainless/electrical segment saw shipments of 187,900 tons, down from 206,600 tons in Q3 2018.
Meanwhile, for the nine months ending Sept. 30, AK Steel’s stainless/electrical segment saw shipments of 592,900 tons, down from 628,800 tons during the same timeframe in 2018.
Looking for metal price forecasting and data analysis in one easy-to-use platform? Inquire about MetalMiner Insights today!

Actual Metal Prices and Trends

The U.S. steel plate price fell 7.1% month over month to $684/st as of Nov. 1.
Chinese steel plate fell marginally to $572.71/mt. Korean steel plate jumped 1.3% to $555.83/mt. Japanese steel plate fell 0.2% to $796.27/mt.
The Chinese silicon price increased 1.6% to $1,463.76/mt.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top