“People are running around the world looking for rare earth elements.” This one sentence in the South China Morning Post, quoting James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, sums up the current rare earths situation well. Chin’s comment is even more true following the recent supply disruptions in Myanmar, which caused […]
Sohrab Darabshaw
Aluminum Prices Rise Amid Global Supply Shocks
In a sense, this is a story of aluminum, alumina and bauxite. Of late, aluminum prices have been shooting up, touching new highs at the London Metal Exchange (LME) and in other global exchanges. Much of this is because of a worldwide alumina shortage. In the last month or so, there’s been as much as […]
China’s Reports Record Iron Ore Imports Despite Steel Slump. What’s Behind This?
A familiar story is playing out in China this October, and it could have ramifications for the global iron ore price. Despite several rounds of economic stimuli not having the desired effect and the consumption of steel remaining at record lows, China is on the way to importing record volumes of iron ore this month. […]
Rio Tinto’s $6.7B Arcadium Lithium Acquisition Set to Transform Battery Market
Australia-headquartered multinational mining company Rio Tinto is all set to add a world-class lithium mining business to its portfolio. A few days ago, the firm announced a definitive agreement that would see the company acquire Arcadium Lithium PLC in an all-cash transaction. The reported cost is US $5.85 per share, which would put the deal […]
China’s Economic Struggles: Why Cutting Rates Isn’t Enough to Boost Steel Demand
No matter the type or amount of stimuli put in by the Chinese Government, the country’s economy is just not getting back into revival mode. Meanwhile, China’s beleaguered steel industry continues to suffer. As part of efforts to boost economic growth, China cut down its benchmark lending rates after the apex bank lowered interest rates […]
Nickel Prices Surge Past $18K: Is a Stainless Steel Rebound Finally on the Horizon?
Of late, nickel prices have been on the rise. More recently, nickel hit a new three-month high on the London Metal Exchange (LME), surging past US $18,000 per metric ton. The price of this material, which is crucial for making stainless steel, has been under pressure for months. Now, it seems to be showing strong […]
China’s Stimulus Sparks Copper Price Surge – Is a Long-Term Rally in Sight?
A glimmer of hope for an economic recovery in China has sent the price of copper soaring following a rekindling of interest from investors. On Monday, both zinc and copper prices hit a four-month high on the London Metal Exchange. In fact, copper prices rose on both the LME and the Shanghai Futures Exchange. Three-month […]
Why Central Banks Are Stockpiling Gold Like It’s 1929 Again
Gold is gleaming brighter than ever all across the globe, though some would say the shine is even more intense in India and China. Still, wherever one looks, precious metals prices continue to set new records with each passing day. India has seen gold prices increase by over 19% so far in 2024 as compared […]
India’s Retaliatory Steel Tariffs Could Shake EU Steel Market
Steel industry experts continue to watch India closely. In the latest steel news from the subcontinent, the country plans to introduce retaliatory tariffs on certain European Union steel imports. This comes after an unresolved trade conflict over the EU’s safeguard measures on steel products. In a notification to the World Trade Organization, India announced plans […]
Antimony and Tungsten: Is China’s Export Crackdown a Response to Global Trade Pressures?
For many years, most of the world has looked at China with some degree of trepidation where critical minerals are concerned. The reason? China currently produces about 60% of the world’s all-important rare earth metals and is responsible for roughly 90% of the refined rare earths available on the market. Now, there’s something more to […]
