Despite significant drops in output earlier in 2020 at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, global copper mine production last year came in unchanged compared with the previous year. According to the International Copper Study Group, the global copper market posted an apparent deficit of 560,000 tons in 2020. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers […]
Fouad Egbaria
This Morning in Metals: Battery energy storage systems on the rise in US power grid
This morning in metals news: the Energy Information Administration forecasts a “significant number” of battery energy storage systems will come onto the US electricity grid; meanwhile, miner Rio Tinto announced a partnership with renewable energy technology company Heliogen; and, lastly, global copper mine production levels came in about flat compared with 2020. You want more […]
US steel capacity utilization dips slightly to 77.3%
The US steel sector’s capacity utilization rate has consistently posted gains since a trough last spring at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This past week, however, the capacity utilization rate fell slightly. Stay up to date on MetalMiner with weekly updates – without the sales pitch. Sign up today. Capacity utilization dips to 77.3% […]
This Morning in Metals: British Steel delivers first rails to Europe under Jingye ownership
This morning in metals news: British Steel delivered its first rails to Europe under its new ownership group; meanwhile, Alcoa said it will supply low-carbon aluminum for the wheels of Audi’s first electric sports car; and, lastly, the race is on to repair a fire-damaged automotive chip factory in Japan. British Steel delivers first rails […]
This Morning in Metals: Semiconductor shortage impacts Stellantis, Ford
This morning in metals news: the global semiconductor shortage continues to impact automotive operations; the oil price tracked back over the past week; and Katherine Tai, the recently confirmed United States Trade Representative, addressed staff on her first day in office. Semiconductor shortage hits Stellantis, Ford As we’ve noted previously, the global semiconductor shortage has […]
Week in Review: Nickel price falls; oil prices remain elevated; Honda temporarily suspends production
Before we head into the weekend, let’s take a look back at the week that was and some of the metals storylines of the week here on MetalMiner, including coverage of the nickel price, oil prices, housing starts and more. Overall, steel prices continue to rise. Meanwhile, after experiencing significant price declines, lead and nickel […]
This Morning in Metals: Honda announces short-term production cuts in North America
This morning in metals news: Honda announced it will suspend most of its North American automotive production; copper has leveled off over the last couple of weeks; and service center shipments declined in February. The MetalMiner Best Practice Library offers a wealth of knowledge and tips to help buyers stay on top of metals markets […]
This Morning in Metals: Contractors more optimistic in latest Commercial Construction Index
This morning in metals news: the US Chamber of Commerce’s Commercial Construction Index revealed some optimism among contractors; meanwhile, the Senate confirmed Katherine Tai as the next United States Trade Representative; and, lastly, the nickel price has appeared to stabilize after a sharp drop. Sign up today for Gunpowder, MetalMiner’s free, biweekly e-newsletter featuring news, […]
EIA: Oil prices expected to continue to rise through April on lower output
Oil prices have been on the rise for months and, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), they appear likely to remain elevated in April. “The sustained OPEC+ production curtailment through April suggests that supply will remain constrained in the near term, even as demand continues to increase,” the EIA explained Wednesday. The MetalMiner Best […]
Housing starts drop by 10.3% in frigid February; Fed holds off on rate hike
After what was a frigid month across the country, February housing starts declined in the US. February saw a historic chill in Texas and elsewhere in the region — in addition to inclement weather in other, traditionally colder parts of the country — that led to many losing power and a decline in natural gas […]