ArcelorMittal recently completed the sale of its steel making and mining operations in Kazakhstan. This move came after the Central Asian state’s government demanded its renationalization due to an October blast at a coking coal mine. On December 8, the Luxembourg-headquartered group reported that the state-controlled direct investment fund Qazaqstan Investment Corporation (QIC) acquired ArcelorMittal […]
Category: Manufacturing
China’s Changing Appetite: The Future of Australia’s Iron Ore Supply, Iron Ore Prices
An expected slowdown in China’s uptake and a world that is increasingly moving toward “green” iron ore and steel will be two crucial drivers affecting the future of iron production. This is especially true for Australia, one of the world’s largest miners of raw iron ore. Should demand change or iron ore prices shift dramatically, […]
Rich in Rare Earths, Vietnam Becomes a Center for Global Power Struggle
Vietnam finds itself wooed by two large world powers. However, this time, it is not over any geopolitical consideration, but for a resource that the modern world covets: rare earths. China and the U.S. are locked in a race to court a country that boasts the world’s second-largest rare earth deposits. However, much of Vietnam’s […]
ArcelorMittal Halts Steel Production in Bosnia Amidst Europe’s Slump in Demand
A drop in steel demand throughout Europe proved the reason for ArcelorMittal temporarily suspending output at its Bosnia plant. The company remains a leading player in the steel industry, making approximately 700,000 tons of liquid steel every year and employing 2,200 workers. According to this report, company management moved to halt production due to a […]
Glencore’s $6.93 Billion Acquisition: Majority Stake in Teck Resources’ Steelmaking Coal Business
Multinational commodity trader and mining group Glencore recently announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Canadian mining group Teck Resources’ steelmaking coal business. On November 15, the London and Johannesburg-listed group announced they had previously paid $6.93 billion for a 77% stake in Elk Valley Resources (EVR). They added that the deal was based […]
Copper Mining Giant Ivanhoe Mines Announces New Mineral Resources in DRC
Canadian copper mining giant Ivanhoe Mines recently announced new “maiden” mineral resources for high-grade Makoko and Kiala deposits in its project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The company said that Makoko contains indicated mineral resources of 16 million tons (MT) at 3.55% copper. They also reported inferred mineral resources of 154 million tons […]
British Steel Has £1.25 Billion Plan to Slash Emissions with Electric Arc Furnaces
British Steel recently told steel news sources of a £1.25 billion ($1.53 billion) project to replace its blast furnace operations with electric arc furnaces. The company said the goal was to help slash current carbon emissions. “The proposals, which are subject to appropriate support from the UK Government, could see British Steel install two electric […]
Asset Freeze Issued by ArcelorMitta on Liberty Steel for €140 Million Debt
ArcelorMittal recently obtained a freeze order from a Singaporean court against Liberty Steel. The order totals €140 million ($150 million) and relates to the prospective sale of Liberty Steel assets. According to reports, the Luxembourg-headquartered group acquired a court injunction from a Singapore court on Nov. 1. That injunction prohibits Liberty from removing any assets […]
Raw Steels MMI: How Long Can Steel Prices Rise?
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 2.53% from September to October. Roughly six weeks ago, U.S. steel prices found a bottom at the close of September. However, in October, the market shifted, leading to a nearly 17% rise in HRC prices as they retraced back to their August range. Both CRC and HRC […]
Rare Earths MMI: Rare Earth Prices Cool Down
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) recently began to cool down following two months of bullish momentum. Altogether, the index dropped by about 3.39%. Many components of the index traded sideways, while some others, like praseodymium neodymium oxide, declined. That said, the index still holds the potential to move back up in the remainder […]