November’s Renewables MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index) traded sideways for the first time since June. The index rose by 1.56% month-over-month. This primarily resulted from GOES (grain-oriented electrical steel) rising in price. Meanwhile, other renewable energy resources, like neodymium and Japanese steel plate, traded sideways. Silicon remains in particularly high demand, but supplies remain pinched along […]
Category: Commodities
Zhongwang’s Roller Coaster Ride Comes Off the Tracks
Recent aluminum supply news remains inundated with the Zhongwang Holdings controversy. Many remember the case from 2019 when US prosecutors accused six southern California companies of evading aluminum import duties. The organizations had ties to Zhongwang Holding’s owner Liu Zhongtian and the skipped duties came to $1.8 billion total. The prosecutors claimed that between 2011 […]
Rare Earths MMI: The World Races to Find Alternatives to Chinese Rare Earths
The November Rare Earth MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index) broke its short-term downward trend and traded sideways month-over-month. Altogether, the index dropped a modest 0.97%. Rare earths managed to hold their steady trend over most of 2022. This was due to high demand for EV’s, electronics, and rare earth magnets. Indeed, the global market for all […]
Pressure Increases on the LME to Ban Russian Metal
According to the latest metal news, the London Metal Exchange (LME) is in a quandary over how to handle metal supply from “sanctioned” Russia. Their frustrations continue to be enhanced by the fact that some nations, led by China, remain interested in buying up Russian stock. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, formal and voluntary sanctions […]
New Trends in Battery Nickel as EV Demand Rises
Battery original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have enjoyed a clear trend for much of the last decade. In fact, they’ve largely achieved falling per kWh manufacturing costs thanks to two strong dynamics. The first is economies of scale. After all, demand for both consumer electronics and electric vehicles in all forms – hybrid and full EV […]
ArcelorMittal Iron Ore Refining Hindered by War in Ukraine
Russian forces continue to wage rocket attacks on Ukraine’s cities and energy networks. So far, the destruction has caused at least one steelmaker and one iron ore producer to lower their production levels. Integrated longs producer ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih recently announced it would limit the electricity consumption of its most energy-intensive equipment. According to an […]
Global Precious Metals MMI – Are High Interest Rates Causing Precious Metal Investment Risks?
October’s Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index) traded sideways, falling slightly by 0.98%. The index held higher than other October MMI’s (a majority of which fell in price) due to high interest rates, recession fears, and slowing economic activity. Due to these the current economic climate, investors sought out precious metals for investment reasons […]
Chinese Steel Manufacturing Profitability Down 20%
Is it all doom and gloom for Chinese steel manufacturing? It’s hard to tell at the moment. Indeed, China finds itself in a precarious place financially. What’s more, a sizable section of global financial and stock analysts have predicted the crises will only get worse as the country prepares to face its toughest winter yet. […]
Copper MMI: Copper Prices Move Sideways in Tight Range
The October Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 5.59% from September to October, with all components experiencing declines. Still, future copper prices face a wide range of challenges. Copper prices continue to show signs of short-term consolidation following a brief rebound that stalled in late August. Meanwhile, the bottom found in mid-July and the peak of […]
Overview of Battery Recycling Industry, with Cirba Solutions
The last twelve months proved turbulent for the electrical products market. This is true whether you’re a raw material miner, refiner, manufacturer, or end user. Indeed, ongoing issues with battery metal prices and supply security affected millions. After demand rose dramatically, Chinese battery makers began snapping up resources left and right. This left major automakers […]