HM Treasury recently announced that the UK plans to enact a carbon tax on certain metals and natural resource imports into the country by 2027. The December 19 announcement said that steel, aluminum, and iron ore will be subject to the tax. This tax is currently known as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). “Goods […]
Category: Environment
Copper MMI: Possible Deficit Shifts Copper Price Outlook
Still short of a breakout, current copper prices lifted off their October lows during November and have yet to see a major downside correction. Nonetheless, copper prices remain sideways and sit only 1.5% above where they stood at the start of 2023. An increase among all of its components helped the Copper Monthly Metals Index (MMI) […]
Renewables/GOES MMI: Index Drops & Green Energy Faces Challenges
The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) took a noticeable dive month-over-month, dropping by 10.41%. Indeed, neodymium, cobalt, and steel plate all suffered drops in price, making them the main culprits for the index falling. Meanwhile, the latest renewable energy news sources suggest green initiatives could be in for a rocky ride in 2024. This is […]
India and China Plan to Discuss Carbon Tax with the EU
Both India and China continue to denigrate the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), or “carbon tax” as it has come to be known, proposed by the European Union. Meanwhile, the EU claims the new scheme is integral to its plan to achieve zero emissions across six earmarked industries. The new tax regime recently moved into […]
Rare Earths MMI: Burmese Mining Suspension Causes Prices for Rare Earth to Shoot Up
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) witnessed yet another steep increase month-over-month. Indeed, supply disruptions remain a massive concern in the rare earths industry, so rare earth magnets and other materials witnessed renewed bullish strength across the board over recent months. In August, market worries arose prior to a planned environmental inspection of China’s […]
What We Know About 2024 Metal Prices Through Metal Mining
As we approach 2023, the metal mining industry teeters on a precipice of unprecedented change and challenge. Such challenges range from economic instability, environmental regulations, and labor shortages to disruptive technological advancements and heightened market competition. These dynamic factors pose incredible business risks that require strategic management for success in the coming years. While it […]
UK Government & Tata Steel Reach Tentative Agreement on Port Talbot Plant, Risking 3,000 Jobs
The UK government and Mumbai-headquartered Tata Steel have reached a preliminary agreement over a funding package regarding the Port Talbot plant in South Wales. The package is part of a £1.25 billion ($1.55 billion) plan to decarbonize Port Talbot’s operations. However, concerns over jobs and the potential effect on local steel prices remain. A September […]
Is the UK Government Playing Politics in the Tata Steel Port Talbot Transition?
Tata Steel is in talks with the UK government to acquire £500 million ($630 million) in funding. The steelmaking multinational confirmed the funds would help the Port Talbot plant replace its operating blast furnaces with electric arc furnaces. The news comes as the Tata Steel share price recently reached a high for the year. “Given […]
Shake Up for Aluminum Prices? China’s Surge into Indonesia Sparks Market Shifts
It’s called the “nickel model,” and China hopes to duplicate it for its aluminum industry. Indeed, after more than 20 years of fast growth, China’s aluminum sector recently reached its domestic capacity limit. The government imposed this ceiling on new smelter construction to cut down on pollution and energy consumption. Now, the policy spur significant […]
Renewables/GOES MMI: Cobalt and Other Battery Metals Prices Rise Slightly
Since April, the Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) has been in a tight sideways trend. Falling demand and slumping material production for battery metals in China, as well as an oversupply of materials continue to exert bearish pressure on the index. However, month-over-month, the index finally broke its sideways trend, rising by 4.75%. Chinese stimulus […]
