Aluminum prices continued to slowly edge downward, but remained within an overall sideways trend. After prices fell 1.31% throughout April, they dropped an additional 2.22% during the first week of May. But despite the softness, aluminum prices have not yet formed lower lows, so an established downtrend is still not confirmed at this time. Interested […]
Category: Global Trade
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Cobalt
The cobalt price index fell below $26,000 per tonne as of April 2023, its lowest level since 2019. Indeed, while cobalt demand remains largely steady, there has been a significant increase in supply. Meanwhile, analysts expect the demand for refined cobalt, frequently used in rechargeable batteries, to increase by 8% to 205,000 tonnes by 2023. […]
Chile’s Nationalization of the Lithium Industry Could Impact Lithium Prices
In the 1960s, revolutionary and often left-wing populists took control of foreign mining company assets “for the people” through “resource nationalism.” They proceeded to destroy inherent values and even plundered coffers to use for corrupt ends. Some nationalization efforts, like Chile’s, ended in the formation of Codelco, a world-class mining entity. However, far too many others did […]
China’s Yunnan Province Cuts Aluminum Production
A new question mark hangs over the fate of Chinese aluminum production for the rest of 2023. In March, China’s primary aluminum output increased by 3% compared to the same period in the previous year. However, the increase occurred at a slower pace than in previous months. While this did bring some cheer, the future […]
Renewed Steel Demand in China Causing Iron Ore Production to Rise
For the 1st quarter of this year, China’s iron ore imports hit a Q1 record. Altogether, prices climbed nearly 10% from January to March, reaching 29.3 million tons (MT). Indeed, March alone saw imports grow 1.8% to 100.23 MT. Helping these numbers were expectations of stronger steel demand as the Chinese economy continues to emerge […]
Stainless MMI: Index Falls as Stainless Steel Price Appears Bearish
The Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) fell 7.53% from March to April. Downside momentum continued to pressure the nickel market, sending prices down into support zones. Meanwhile, no bullish reversal patterns have formed, leaving the global stainless steel price at high risk of further decline. Get weekly updates on nickel and stainless steel price trends […]
Australia on Track to Earn as Much for Lithium as Thermal Coal
Australia is on the brink of a significant accomplishment in the worldwide transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Within the next five years, the country projects it will generate as much revenue from exporting lithium, a crucial mineral in battery technology, as it presently does from thermal coal. This news is even more […]
Metal Manufacturing News: Glencore Proposes Merger with Canada’s Teck Resources
On April 3, multinational commodity trader and mining group Glencore announced its proposal for a merger with Canada’s Teck Resources. Estimates say the metal manufacturing merger could potentially create $4.25-5.25 billion of post-tax synergy value. However, Vancouver-headquartered Teck announced its rejection of the offer on the same day. “The board of directors of Teck has […]
LME Nickel Purchasers Express Concerns Over Alleged Nickel Scandal
The London Metal Exchange is back in the limelight again, along with its notorious nickel contract. This time, the news has to do with reports of potential fraud with a recent LME nickel shipment. The scrutiny comes following the discovery of nine warrants, some 54 tons of Nickel briquettes, that turned out to contain rocks. […]
Construction MMI: Silicon Valley Bank Collapse Spills into Construction Industry
Month-over-month, the Construction MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index) broke out of its sideways trend and rose amid both positive and negative construction news. For instance, bar fuel surcharges dropped, but h-beam steel and U.S. shredded scrap steel went up slightly. And while some sources report a rise in global rebar prices, others suggest steel rebar futures […]