This morning in metals news: U.S. steel capacity utilization reached 85.3% last week; meanwhile, Lightsource bp touted the launch of a Colorado solar project and the world’s “first steel mill to be powered largely by solar energy”; and, lastly, Rio Tinto announced new decarbonization targets. We’re offering timely emails with exclusive analyst commentary and some […]
Year: 2021
Metals supply constraints likely to linger into 2022
Several factors are likely to see base metals continue to encounter supply constraints into 2022. Chief among them is demand, said Colin Hamilton, managing director of commodities research at BMO Capital Markets. “We have never seen this level of demand impulse before,” he said in an Oct. 12 web presentation. Producers have also had difficulty […]
China begins construction on massive wind and solar project
Amid a deepening energy crisis, China has begun construction on a massive wind and solar project in the desert. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. Explore the upcoming webinars and sign up for each on the MetalMiner Events page. China announces plans for renewable energy project President Xi Jinping said […]
This Morning in Metals: Copper prices continue October surge
This morning in metals news: copper prices have surged this month; median weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers are up; and WTI crude oil prices have ticked up since last week. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. Explore the upcoming webinars and sign up for each on the […]
Copper market shows signs of distress; views differ on copper supply outlook
There doesn’t appear to be a lot of consensus around the copper market. On the one hand, according to Reuters, the International Copper Study Group (ICSG) reports the global refined copper market will be roughly balanced between supply and demand this year. Meanwhile, the group forecasts a significant supply surplus in 2022. The ICSG is […]
Zinc prices boom to 14-year highs as power costs hit producers
Zinc prices have surged to 14-year highs this week, rising by over 24% on a month-over-month basis. The LME three-month zinc price closed Friday at $3,757 per metric ton, according to MetalMiner Insights data. Chinese primary cash zinc closed Monday at $742 per metric ton, up 20.86% month over month. We’re offering timely emails with […]
Further bad news for metals consumers: alloying element shortages
We wrote recently about the impact power rationing and rising coal costs were having on metals producers in Europe. Well, it would seem that is not the only driver pushing semi-finished product prices higher this month. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. Explore the upcoming webinars and sign up for […]
This Morning in Metals: Steel demand to rise 4.5%, World Steel Association forecasts
This morning in metals news: the World Steel Association forecast steel demand to rise by 4.5% this year; U.S. import prices increased in September; and, lastly, the Energy Information Administration forecasts U.S. coal-fired electricity generation will increase this year for the first time since 2014. Are you under pressure to generate steel cost savings? Make […]
What’s next for US Section 232 tariffs on EU steel, aluminum?
Talk of trade meetings are usually met with a yawn and click to the next news item. However, last week’s meeting between the E.U. and the U.S. in Pittsburgh may be one event worth following. Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. Explore the upcoming webinars and sign up for each […]
Week in Review: Aluminum prices remain elevated; power costs weigh on metals producers; IEA releases World Energy Outlook
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and the metals storylines here on MetalMiner, including aluminum prices, rising power costs and much more: Each month, MetalMiner hosts a webinar on a specific metals topic. Explore the upcoming webinars and sign up for each on the MetalMiner […]